Everyone has heard the saying ‘You are what you eat.’ But what does it mean?
It is a scientific fact that diet has a direct effect on overall health. Anyone eating a variety of different foods, with plenty of fruit and vegetables and enough fluids, will probably enjoy better health than someone who exists on burgers, fizzy drinks and little else.
However, there is more to good digestive health than just eating a healthy diet. Lifestyle, habits and even stress levels have an impact on how your body absorbs and processes the nutrients you choose to put into it.
Here are five ways you can improve your digestion:
Eat more fibre
A high fibre diet – one containing plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes – will help your digestive system stay in tip-top condition, meaning you are less likely to suffer from constipation and related issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome and haemorrhoids.
Exercise
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine, even if it is just walking to the local shops instead of driving, or walking up stairs instead of taking the lift, will pay huge dividends in both the long and short run.
Eat less fat
Although it is important to eat some fat in your diet, too many fatty foods are known to slow down the digestive system, resulting in constipation. One way to consume less is through eating leaner meats, taking the skin off chicken and removing some of the fattier portions from your diet.
Take supplements
Substances such as probiotics, which are healthy bacteria, help keep your gut healthy. Aloe vera juice is also well known to help heal the gut. According to health website Natural News, aloe vera has been used for many healing purposes since the time of the ancient Egyptians, when it was hailed as ‘the plant of immortality’.
Stay hydrated
Drinking enough fluid, particularly water, throughout the day is essential to maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Health and fitness websites such as http://millenniallifestyle.com/health/ can offer more advice on what to eat and drink in order to improve your digestion.
The message is clear: if you take some simple, common sense steps to improve your all-round health, your digestive system will thank you. You can feel it in your gut.