Your digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be used as energy. An example of this is the breaking down of glucose which can be used by the brain for mental energy and focus. The nutrients we gain food also help repair, maintain and aid growth of the body so, it is very important to have a well-functioning digestive system in order to get the most from what we eat. Think of it as an engine for your car, if you have a shitty engine then your entire car is going to be shitty but if you take care of it then the chances of your car performing at an optimum level increase, same thing with your digestive system.
I have had a problem with my digestive system in the past, the are a number of foods which my body simply cannot digest (diary milk, beans, butternut, white potatoes, cheese etc.) and unfortunately, I’ve had to either eliminate or reduce from my diet. It was important for me to recognize and perform this act because our health heavily relies on and the ability to absorb and breakdown nutrients and if your body can’t digest or eliminate waste effectively (constipation), your overall health will suffer.
A lot of information on which diet to follow or which food has the best protein or what to eat and when to eat it is on the internet however, there isn’t enough information on how to protect and optimise your digestive system. By optimising your digestion, you greatly improve your health on a cellular level. Simply put, you can follow the best diet in the world but if you are not digesting those foods effectively and efficiently then you are wasting your time and money.
So, how does one improve their digestive system?
#1 Chew your food
It seems simple but chewing your food properly is often ignored. Chewing plays a vital role in the breakdown of food. The more you can break food down the better it can be absorbed. Chewing also puts less stress on your stomach.
There are a number of enzymes in saliva which a responsible for the chemical breakdown of food. Amylase is a protein enzyme that breaks the starch and glycogen into glucose and maltose. This is important because carbohydrates, when digested properly, provide our body with energy (both physical and mental energy).
Spend some time chewing your food, at least 20 seconds. An easy way to get into this habit is to put your spoon/fork down after each serving.
#2 Invest in apple cider vinegar
Substances such as apple cider vinegar are responsible creating a better environment to breakdown protein into amino acids. Amino acids are responsible for muscle growth, muscle repair and bone tissue, so they play a vital role for your entire body.
However, when you are lacking in these substances (stomach acids), the ability to digest is hampered. Foods that you ingest will only be partially digested and sit in the stomach for much longer rather than be transferred into the small intestine. This will result in the food rotting and ultimately turn into gas. Once the food turns into gas, it is highly likely that you will experience bloating, burping, farting, heart burn or digestive pain.
A great way to improve the production of stomach acid is to drink 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or sipping on lemon water throughout the day.
#3 Eat probiotic-rich foods
Probiotics are often called “good bacteria”. They are living microorganisms that may have positive impacts on various aspects of your health, depending on the type of probiotic strain and the dose taken. These are very important they support your digestive health and prevent gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
#4 Drink you water
We often consume our meals with fruit juice, coffee or soda. But, what we fail to realize is that these beverages are diuretic, meaning they pull water out of your body. This can lead to severe dehydration if water consumption is not adequate.
Digesting food efficiently requires large amounts of water which means you must consume water frequently. A lack of water can result in waste not being excreted efficiently (constipation) which will make you feel lethargic and sluggish.
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