Most of us have struggled with digestive upset at some point in our lives and it can be very frustrating! Adequate digestion of the food we eat is essential to every other process in our bodies and there are many reasons why your digestion may not be optimal. Here are some natural ways to support digestion that you can incorporate into your life today.

Ensure you are adequately hydrated

Did you know that digestion starts in the mouth? Your body needs water in order to produce saliva which contains digestive enzymes that start to break down the food you are eating as it enters your mouth. As you can imagine, all of the gastric juices in your stomach require water as well as the mucous that coats the lining of your stomach. To avoid constipation, adequate hydration is required to soften stool and keep elimination regular. Set a goal for yourself to drink 2 litres (or 8 glasses of water) daily as a start.

Remove processed foods and sugar from your diet

Overly processed foods and sugar is very inflammatory to the gut and can cause bloating, dysbiosis, low energy, constipation, cravings, unhealthy weight gain and many other issues. The healthiest thing to do is remove overly processed and refined foods from your diet, as well as sugary treats and juice. In return, you will be eating more fiber-rich foods, healthy fats and protein which all support digestion.

Incorporate fiber-rich foods into your meals

Fiber plays a huge role in digestive health. Fiber helps keep the digestive tract flowing by keeping stool soft and regular. If you are skipping out on regular meals and resorting to convenience foods, it is likely that your diet is lacking in fiber. Try adding some beans, berries, whole grains, avocados and nuts to your diet to increase your daily fiber intake to support digestion.

Manage your stress

Stress is a huge culprit when it comes to indigestion. Our stress hormones directly affect our digestion as our energy is diverted away from digestive processes when we are in fight-or-flight mode. If you are in a constant state of stress, it is likely that you will suffer from indigestion, heart burn, constipation, diarrhea or other digestive difficulties.

Before meal times, try to engage in stress relieving activities such as yoga, reading, meditation or a quick walk around your neighbourhood. Do not work while you are eating and be sure to give yourself a bit of time to digest before heading back to stressful activities.

Try some digestive herbal teas

Herbal teas can work wonders for digestion. The top herbal teas to support digestion include peppermint, ginger, dandelion root, chamomile, licorice, oolong and green tea. Davids Tea has one called Organic Le Digestif and Traditional Medicinals has one called Belly Comfort that is targeted for digestive upset after eating.

Try out some of these digestion supporting suggestions today to get back on track with your health and wellness.

Like what you’ve read? Check out some natural energy boosting solutions here.