Being proactive about digestive health is really important. Even if your stomach isn’t easily effected by what you eat, your stress levels, or the amount of sleep you’re getting, it’s still important to take care of your digestive system. 80% (yes, 80%!) of your immune system is located in your gut. Also, there has been increasing evidence that links mental health with gut health.
Here are top tips for improving digestive health:
1. Drink Up
Drinking water is important for a number of reasons, but it’s also really important for your digestive health. The water helps your body to break down the food to absorb nutrients, and it can also help with constipation.
2. Take a Daily Probiotic
A probiotic is something that is really helpful. It helps put all that healthy bacteria back in your gut, so things stay more balanced.
3. Exercise
Exercise is great for helping to stimulate your digestive system and also helps reduce stress, which can have a huge impact on your digestion. If your tummy is really out of whack and you don’t feel like going for a run or doing some circuit training, practicing some yoga moves that work to improve digestion.
4. Load up on gut-friendly foods
What you eat can definitely make or break how your tummy is feeling. Try sipping on a little ginger tea, or use it as a spice to flavour your foods. Probiotic-rich foods like kombucha and yogurt are excellent as well.
5. Treat Constipation
Nobody likes dealing with constipation. If your digestive system is acting a bit sluggish, increasing your fibre intake. Something as simple as sprinkling hemp seeds on your oatmeal or adding a spoonful of flax to a smoothie can make a big difference. In particular, dried fruits like prunes or figs can be excellent to help get your digestive system moving again. If none of these natural treatments are working, trying a gentle laxative like Laxaday.
6. Stress Less
Stress can wreak real havoc on your digestive system, but sometimes trying to reduce your stress can be really difficult. A more structured mindfulness-based meditation can be helpful as well. There are many apps you can download for meditation, or you can simply look one up on Youtube.
7. Practice Good Eating Habits
Eating regular, smaller amounts of food is one of the best ways to keep your digestive system happy. Try to become aware of your inner hunger cues to learn when you really are satisfied. Try to take your time chewing your food as well. The process of chewing is the first place that your body begins to break down the food you eat, so when you take the time to chew properly, your body doesn’t have to work as hard on the digestion process. Plus, when you take the time to slow down, you’ll enjoy your meal even more.
