Sep 07, 2021 by
Sometimes, even with a healthy diet, it is possible to still experience digestive issues. The reality is that there can be much more to digesting your food well than just eating a healthy diet. Many factors can have an effect on whether or not you experience issues like gas, bloating, and indigestion on a regular basis. If you find yourself often dealing with digestive issues, here are a few things you can try to help diminish them.
Try Digestive Supplements
One way that you can help give yourself a boost when it comes to digestion is by trying supplements that can aid in proper digestion. A digestive supplement can contain a variety of things that may help with digestion, one of them being prebiotics, not to be confused with probiotics. While a probiotic is a form of good bacteria that resides in your intestines, prebiotics are what they often use for fuel, and help to keep them functioning well.
Chew Slowly
A mistake that can often lead to improper digestion is eating too quickly and not chewing your food enough. When you eat fast, this creates the opportunity for excess air to enter into your digestive system, which can lead to gas and bloating. Also, not chewing your food thoroughly means that you will have larger chunks of food going into your stomach, which means that it will have to work harder and longer to digest food properly.
Get Your Fiber
Making sure that you get enough fiber can be another important component in aiding healthy digestion. Fiber helps to keep food moving through your digestive tract at the right rate, and can even help to prevent constipation. Beyond this, getting the right amounts of fiber on a regular basis can also potentially help more serious digestive tract problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis.
Do a Workout
Most people are aware that working out has many health benefits, however, not everyone realizes that it can have a meaningful impact on their digestive health as well. Not only does working out help you maintain a healthy weight, which can be good for overall digestive health, but it helps keep food moving through your digestive system at the right pace, which can help prevent constipation.
So when you move your body, the food you ate will also move too.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated can be another impactful part of keeping digestion healthy. This is in part because your body needs a certain amount of water to digest food, and if it doesn’t have it, it can lead to issues such as constipation and diarrhea. Additionally, if you are eating enough fiber you will need to make sure you are drinking optimal levels of water as well. This is because fiber will draw water into the intestines to make stools softer and easier to pass.
Now that you’ve read this, go ahead and get some water before continuing this article!
Decrease Stress
Stress is something that can have a big impact on your whole body, your digestive system included. Frequent stress can have the potential to throw your digestive system out of whack and can lead to problems like diarrhea. While it may be difficult to avoid stress altogether, learning some stress management techniques like deep breathing exercises and meditation may help you lower your stress levels and make it easier for your digestive system to function like it should.
Keeping a regular schedule would not only help with your bowels but it also correlates with regular exercise sessions, sleep patterns, and more.
The Bottom Line
At times, even if you are leading a healthy lifestyle and feel that you are eating the right kinds of foods, digestive problems can still be an issue. Many things can cause improper digestion, from eating too fast to not getting enough water throughout the day. Taking some time to asses some of your habits may go a long way toward helping fix any digestive issues you might be experiencing.
So, whether you experience frequent digestive issues that won’t seem to go away, or are just dealing with a few minor, occasional problems, making some changes to your health regimen could go a long way toward solving your issues and allowing you to lead a healthier and happier life.
AUTHOR BIO:
Kevin Devoto is an avid outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer. He enjoys writing about sustainability, ecofriendly behaviors, and local travel. He has traveled all over the world but has taken a particular interest in our great National Parks.
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