The digestion process is like a well-coordinated dance set during which your body performs the many steps needed to break down the food you eat and unlock the vitamins, minerals, calories, fats, and proteins you need — and then efficiently clean sweep the rest. Digestion is an extremely important function which your body used to break down food into nutrients for energy, growth, and cellular repair.
However, despite being one of the key systems in the body, we tend to overlook our digestion unless it is not going smoothly. It is important to proactively take steps to avoid problems and to maintain a good digestive health.
Here are a couple of foods which you can consider for good digestion:
* Fermented foodsFermented foods like sauerkraut, buttermilk, sourdough, etc., contain beneficial bacteria that make them easier to digest.Other fermented fare you may want to try are kefir (made from fermented milk), kimchi (Korean pickled cabbage), and miso (a Japanese paste made of fermented soybeans).
* High Fibre, low-fat beansFibre — it’s the unseen essential product in foods good for digestion.Beans are a perfect high-fibre, low-fat food, serving up about 19 grams of roughage per cup. If you are worried about flatulence from high-fibre foods, upping black-eyed peas consumption can help regulate gas. In addition to most dried beans, peas, and lentils, other good foods for digestion that have a high fibre content are whole grains, raspberries, and artichokes, among many other fruits and vegetables.
* Yogurt/ CurdFriendly bacteria that live inside your digestive tract help digestion. Yogurt with live cultures and other foods that contain probiotics build up that positive population. If you are not a fan of yogurt, you can even reach out for probiotic supplements. Some supplements contain better strains of probiotics.Daily probiotic supplements may increase both the frequency and consistency of stool.
* Fish oilFish oil can benefit not only your heart, but your digestive tract as well. To start, add fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel in your diet, all good foods for digestion.The amount of fish oil needed for a real benefit is large, and you may require supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids from fish is also a key factor in improving the gut health and keeping irritable bowel syndrome at bay.
* GingerA traditional Asian remedy for tummy aches and nausea, ginger is another good food for digestion and a popular natural digestive aid among pregnant women, whether in ginger teas, candies, or supplements. According to a study published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, ginger’s benefits are backed by research as well: Ginger is a food that helps digestion by speeding up the process that moves food from the stomach into the upper small intestine. Dried ginger powder is an excellent spice for flavouring meals, and a person can also use slices of ginger root to make tea.
Apart from the foods mentioned above, it is also important to balance your diet with leafy greens and whole grains. Leafy greens, such as spinach or kale, are excellent sources of fibre, as well as nutrients like folate, vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin A and also a specific type of sugar that helps fuel growth of healthy gut bacteria.Whole grains provide lots of fibre, as well as added nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids which is great for the good gut bacteria that thrive on fibre.