Interested in keeping your digestive system healthy? Try these tips for a healthier digestive system
In recent years, you may have heard if you want to improve your overall immune system health, then you need to improve your gut health. Curious about the connection? Simply put, approximately 70 – 80 percent of the cells that make up your immune system are located in your gut wall. Keeping the bacteria in your gut, also commonly called gut flora, at optimal level is believed to influence your overall health and give you a boost when it comes to fighting off germs you come into contact with. Having a healthy gut can also improve your digestion, absorption of nutrients, and bowel habits. So, how can you improve your digestive health? Try incorporating these 6 tips for a healthier digestive system:
- Invest in a good probiotic – You naturally have healthy bacteria in your gut, but sometimes these bacteria could exist in low levels. This can negatively impact your gut health. A high quality probiotic can introduce healthy bacteria back into your gut, in turn helping you combat the effects of stress, taking antibiotics, or eating foods that aren’t exactly healthy.
Probiotics can also help you increase nutrient absorption, and some may have a beneficial effect on the bowels (ideal for people with irritable bowel syndrome). If you aren’t a fan of swallowing a pill, you can eat kefir or yogurt in place of a probiotic capsule or tablet. - Add fiber to your diet – Looking for a way to improve your digestive health, keep food properly moving through your digestive tract, prevent specific digestive conditions, and keep you fuller, longer? Eat more fiber. High fiber foods include lentils, beans, split peas, berries, peas, broccoli, oatmeal and pears (and this is just a small list of potentials).
- Keep yourself hydrated – Many people do not realize the long list of negative effects dehydration can have on the body. Hydrating can help keep your digestive system healthy by keeping things moving along through your digestive tract. It can also help prevent constipation, and keep you feeling full. If you are an athlete or someone who exercises regularly, you need to pay even more attention to staying properly hydrated.
How do you know if you are drinking enough? If your urine is light in color to clear, you know you are consuming enough water. And, if drinking water seems boring to you, get creative. Use fruits, vegetables and herbs to naturally flavor your water (think berries, or cucumber, mint and lemon). - Limit fat intake – Eating extremely fatty foods can make digestion difficult, and put extra pressure on your digestive system (not to mention make you gain weight). Try limiting the amount of fried and fatty foods you ingest on a regular basis. In addition, opt for leaner cuts of meat, switch to non-fat dairy (if you are a dairy user), and consider replacing regular butter with oil or a butter substitute).
- Eat slower – It may sound like a simple tip for keeping your digestive system healthy, but eating slower can have a major impact. Try to chew your food at least 20 times for each bite. Eating slowly gives your stomach the time it needs to send signals to your brain that you are full. Plus, not overfilling your stomach or forcing it to digest quickly gives it the times it need to properly breakdown food and nutrients.
- Incorporate exercise – Increase blood flow to your digestive tract and help keep things moving properly by incorporating regular exercise. This practice will also help you maintain a healthier weight! No time for lengthy workout segments? Studies show intensive ten-minute workout segments offer the same benefits and are more likely to keep participants interested in exercising!
These are just a few tips for a healthier digestive system and ways to improve your digestive health. To learn more about digestion tips, easy exercises to do at home, and healthy meal options, visit www.BetterHealthKare.com today!