The Best and Worst Foods for Your Digestion
Good digestion is so important for your health because when the body breaks down food, it is then absorbed by the cells, providing you with energy and nourishing your body. If food isn’t broken down well, it stays in the body, causing severe weight gain and discomfort. This is why it’s important to know the best and worst foods for your digestion.
The best foods: fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are excellent for digestion because most of them are high in fiber. This fiber has the added benefit of keeping your digestion regular.
Also Read: 4 Nutritious Fruit-Based Breakfasts
Whole grains
Whole-grain foods, such as brown rice and wheat, also contain large amounts of fiber, which is why they are great for your digestion.
Also Read: Enjoy a Low-Calorie Rice Pudding Recipe
Bananas
Although all fruits and vegetables are generally beneficial for digestion, bananas are very good because they are gentle on the stomach.
Water
Water is excellent for digestion, although most people don’t drink enough of it. Water is a strong aid to overall digestion because it helps the body move food through your digestive system, especially the colon.
Ginger
Spices and herbs like ginger, turmeric, and mint are excellent if your stomach feels uncomfortable. So, if you tend to get stomachaches or too much gas, drink some ginger or mint tea.
Foods which contain probiotics or prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics are good for the digestive system and contain good bacteria, which destroy the bad bacteria that you might have lurking in your intestines. They can be found in foods such as yogurt, asparagus, onion, lentils, and whole grains, among others.
The worst foods: spicy foods
Spicy f oods may not be a great choice for your digestion, as they can cause acid reflux in some people.
Caffeine
Just like spicy food, caffeine can also cause acid reflux. Coffee strongly activates peristalsis, which is the action that moves your food along the digestive canal. However, it contains caffeine, which causes acid reflux. It can, however, help people who suffer from constipation.
Soft drinks
Just like spicy foods and drinks that contain caffeine, some acidic drinks can lead to acid reflux.
Foods high in saturated fat
Greasy foods can cause heartburn and diarrhea because the body can’t absorb the fat.
Alcohol
Alcohol relaxes the anal sphincter, which may cause acid reflux. It may also cause inflammation in the stomach.
Dairy products may be bad for digestion
Lactose may cause bloating, and digestive discomfort, mostly for people who are lactose intolerant.
Image courtesy of Grace Boyle.
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Simrén, M., Månsson, A., Langkilde, A. M., Svedlund, J., Abrahamsson, H., Bengtsson, U., & Björnsson, E. S. (2001). Food-related gastrointestinal symptoms in the irritable bowel syndrome. Digestion. https://doi.org/10.1159/000051878
