Super Steps to Boost Your Digestive Health

Amy Taylor June 04, 2014

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They say we are just as healthy as our gut. Our digestive system works like our second brain. It is where our probiotics reside – the good bacteria that fight pathogens and other harmful substances and protect our body against potential diseases.

So it is highly important that we take good care of our digestive system. The question is how? Follow these super steps:

Lose weight.

Losing weight doesn’t just make you look good, it makes you feel absolutely better too! What’s more, losing just 2 pounds could improve gastrointestinal symptoms. Excess fats can worsen digestive issues like heartburn, gas, and belching.

Go with smaller meals.

One way to fight digestion, bloating, heartburn, and other digestive health issues is to fill your stomach with lighter meals frequently. This avoids overloading your digestive system and helps shrink your stomach capacity, making you less likely to overeat.

Drink more.

Keeping your water levels high will help prevent constipation. Apart from water and juices, fluids can also be found in foods. The advice of eight glasses of water a day is no longer considered a goal. Talk to your doctor about how much water is right for you.

Work out.

Bloated? Exercising helps your digestive system move things along and eliminate waste – which makes it a great strategy to address most minor digestive problems, from bloating to constipation.

Increase your probiotics intake.

Probiotics, which you can get from consuming yoghurt, supplements and fermented products, have been shown to aid diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Manage your stress levels.

Stress can aggravate digestive problems like IBS and ulcers. To manage your stress levels, try physical activity, getting enough sleep, meditation, or relaxation.

Watch your diet.

Be cautious of foods that aggravate or irritate your digestive problems. Some people have problems with gassy foods like beans and soda or fatty items like fried foods and cheese whilst others on coffee, milk, etc.

Drink less alcohol.

Avoid drinking alcohol especially when you are suffering from digestive trouble. Alcohol interferes with acid secretion, stomach muscles, and nutrient absorption. Furthermore, too many drinks can contribute to heartburn, diarrhoea, liver problems, and even oesophageal cancer.

Cut back on salt.

Even a little bit of extra sodium in your diet can cause bloating. Processed foods are the major sources of excess salt so try to reduce your intake of such foods, including packaged snacks and cereals.

Don’t ignore any issue you may have with your digestive health and try to incorporate some if not all of these tips to your routine. Talk to your doctor if digestive problems start to interfere with your daily life.