#THEHAPPYGUT

Love Your Digestive System

Digestion is how your body deals with the food which enters it. Your digestive system starts with your mouth, throat and esophagus, moves onto the stomach and intestines and includes glands and other parts of the body (1).Healthy digestion lets you obtain nutrients and energy from the food you eat, so caring for your digestive system is crucial. Here is our list of tips on how to love your gut.

1.Hydrate, feel great

Water is important for the digestive system to work efficiently and also prevents constipation (2). You should aim for around 1.5 to 3 litres of water a day. We suggest setting a reminder, or drinking a glass of water before each meal to avoid dehydration. If water doesn’t match your taste, you can try water-based carbonated drinks like seltzer, or add more fruits and vegetables with a high-water content into your diet (like cucumbers and tomatoes).

2. Less Stress

What does mood have to do with digestion? The answer lot. Stress and negative moods result in certain hormones being released which slow down the digestive process. Take some time out during the day to do things that help you relax. Feeling good mentally will help you feel good physically(3).

3. Fitness First

Let’s talk about physical fitness. Through regular exercise you can manage healthy weight and keep your digestive process working effectively. You can start off small with a daily walk, explore gym workouts or experiment with newer styles of sports. Even a little bit of daily exercise can go a long way (3).

4. Eat Well

There are so many simple habits to incorporate into your life to be kinder to your digestive system. Firstly, reflect on ways to improve your diet. For example, fiber is a favored food. Soluble fiber attracts water to minimize constipation, while insoluble fiber adds weight to stool. You can find fiber in nuts, seeds, legumes and whole-wheat foods. Love your gut through nutrition (2).

Another food to keep in your diet is healthy fats(like omega-3 fatty acids). These deter inflammation without increasing bad cholesterol, and can be found in foods such as nuts, seeds and fatty fish (2).

5. Hello Healthy Habits

Train your digestive system with these healthy habits to work effectively (3): Have a solid routine for meals and healthy snacks which your gut will adapt to. During your meals, take your time and remove distractions. Digestion begins while you take your first bite, so chew properly to ensure you create enough saliva to break down the foods.

Become aware of your body and be mindful. Are you really hungry, or is your body asking for water? The body has similar signals for thirst and hunger, so be wary of this.

6. Bye Bad Behaviors

While you bring in the good habits, stay away from the less helpful ones (3).Smoking, drinking alcohol, too much caffeine and eating processed foods are all detrimental for digestive health, so reduce them as much as you can. If they are already not in your life, keep it that way. Protect your digestive system from harm.

7.Ponder Probiotics

Probiotics replenish good bacteria which are necessary for digestion. You can get these essential probiotics in the form of supplements which will care for your digestive system. Your gut will thank you (2).