‘A healthy outside starts from a healthy inside’-by Robert Urich.
What do we mean by this quote? It is something to ponder about and it points directly to our inside(internal health). Many experts believe that the secret to a good life actually lies in our gut. How healthy is our gut?, How healthy are our digestive systems? The answer to all these questions is a good digestive system. Digestion plays a crucial role in our body’s good health and well-being.
So What is Digestion?
Digestion is not just about breaking down food and providing our body with the required nutrients. Digestion is the process by which our food is broken down into a form that can be absorbed into the blood system and carried to cells throughout the body to provide nourishment and energy.
Importance of proper digestion for a healthy body
The digested nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal walls and carried off in the bloodstream to other parts of the body for storage or further chemical changes. The waste product of the process includes old cells and undigested bits of food that get pushed into the colon, and eventually expelled through the bowel. All other health functions can be undermined if you do not digest, absorb and eliminate your food. If you neglect your digestive health, your body could run into problems absorbing those essential nutrients.
Common digestion problems
Some of the common digestion problems are diarrhoea., stomach ache, heartburns, acid reflux and constipation. If you ignore some of these it can lead to digestive disorders like acid reflux if not attended can lead to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Stomach flu or gastroenteritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), constipation, Hemorrhoids, gallstones are some of the other digestive disorders and digestion issues which can be uncomfortable, but fortunately, they usually don’t cause for concern. Sometimes, though, these symptoms may signal a more serious health condition so we should be aware of them.
Tips for Improving Digestion
We all face some digestive issues occasionally like an upset tummy, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, heartburn, acidity reflux but if it occurs frequently then that’s a signal that something is just not right. So to improve our digestion, we have to be alert and watch what we eat. A healthy eating pattern which is balanced with all the required nutrients is what can help in keeping our digestive system healthy and fine.
1. Eat a high-fibre diet
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According to Maria Adams, MS, MPH, RDN, owner of Halsa Nutrition and adjunct professor of nutrition at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, consuming a high-fibre diet that’s rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes can improve your digestive health. “A high-fibre diet helps to keep food moving through your digestive tract, making you less likely to get constipated.” It is also believed that adding the fibre element in our diet can help us prevent various digestive conditions like Irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids. It also helps us in our weight loss regime.
2. Watch your fat intake
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As we all know fatty food takes longer to digest and hence slows down the digestion process which again is one of the causes for constipation. In the same way, our body needs the required amount of healthy fats as well so it’s very important for us to watch what we are eating. One suggestion is to pair fatty foods with some high fibre food which in turn helps in the digestion process.
3. Stay hydrated
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We already know this and we should follow this religiously. Drinking plenty of water is good for the digestive system. It helps the breaking down of the fibre in the colon making the waste pass through easily and smoothly.
4. Choose lean meat over red meat
Protein plays a very important part of our healthy meal. We get it from whole grains, fruits and veggies and lean meat. Protein is an essential part of a healthful diet, but fatty cuts of meat can lead to digestive discomfort. When you eat meat, select lean cuts, such as pork loin and skinless poultry and limit portion size, filling more of your plate with fibre-rich whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
5. Add probiotics and prebiotics in your diet
If we ever dive into our stomach and have a sneak peek inside, we would be surprised to see that the lining of our gut, like every surface of our body, is covered with microscopic creatures, mostly bacteria. These organisms create a micro-ecosystem called the microbiome. And though we don’t really notice it’s there, these organisms play a vital role in our health and can even affect our mood and behaviour. So to keep our microbiome healthy and balanced we need to feed it with healthy bacteria and where do we get this from:
- Probiotics:
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- Prebiotics:
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6. Eat on Time
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Your body clock, metabolism and digestion interact in complex ways – meaning it’s not just what you eat, but when you eat, that matters. One healthy habit to have a good digestive system is to maintain a routine or schedule to have your meals be it breakfast, lunch, snacks or supper. So late-night bingeing, sweet indulgence especially after dinner and overeating can be avoided.
7. Say no to all bad lifestyles
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If you desire a healthy gut it’s very important to get rid of all those elements that affect it. So simply say no to smoking, alcohol, addiction with caffeine beverages like coffee as they can be a cause for an unhealthy gut which can lead to heartburns, acid reflux and stomach ulcers. Too much of everything is harmful. So avoid it or have it in limitation.
8. Stay healthy
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Give time to yourself, exercise regularly and keep yourself fit. Try to manage your stress as this causes anxiety which in turn affects the digestive system.
Aryan Herbals Products
Aryan Herbals have always believed in keeping healthy traditions alive and have a wide range of natural pure and healthy juices and other Ayurvedic products for health and wellness. Below listed are some of the products that are extremely beneficial for better digestion.
Aryan Amla Powder helps stimulate the digestive juices and help in the digestive process. Totally natural product made out of Class 1 Amla (Indian Gooseberry) – Believed to help promote digestion and an effective immunity booster – No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.
Aryan Amla Candy is a blend of enticing taste and nutrition, which not only tastes good but also is an immunity booster. The sweet and salty taste is a fun-filled treat after a heavy meal, which stimulates the digestive juices and helps in the digestive process.
Aryan Triphala Plus (+) Booster Juice is a unique combination of 8 wonderful herbs like Amla, Haritaki & Vibhitaki which support a healthy liver, colon bile and digestive system of the body. It is believed to help achieve a balanced digestive system and promote overall well being.
Final thoughts
Ayurveda is not merely a science its a lifestyle. Ayurveda regards healthy digestion and elimination as the key to promoting health. The quality of digestion is based on the health of the digestive fire. And so let’s explore our digestive fire and keep it healthy.
This article is originally published at Aryan Herbals blog.
Banner Image Credit - Freepik.
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