Your digestive system can be affected by so many factors, not just your poor dietary habits. Stress is a big factor and most people don’t know about it. Then there are environmental toxins and even some medications. If your digestive function doesn’t work properly, it can affect your health in so many ways.

Make sure that your digestive system works in its peak condition at all times. Your other organs and your life depends on it. In this article you will learn about 8 foods that can help bring back your digestive health back to its healthy condition.

In fact, you should eat them regularly to maintain a healthy digestive system.

1.Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are delicious and packed with fiber. They also have high levels of easily digestible starch.

It is soothing to the stomach and intestines. It helps in reducing high acidity levels. The anti-inflammatory properties further help in keeping the gut working properly and absorb valuable nutrients.

According to studies, the vitamin B-complex in sweet potatoes helps in preventing stomach ulcers.

2.Oats

The high fiber content in oats is great for your digestive system. It helps in improving bowel movement and preventing constipation.

Oats have been studied and found to help improve heartburns caused due to GERD. The minerals like selenium, copper, phosphorus and thiamin are also great for your digestive health and overall body.

There are different ways oats can be added to your diet. This includes:

  • Oatmeal
  • Oat flour
  • Oatmeal cookies

All of them can help in improving your digestion.

3.Beetroot

Most people don’t include beets in their foods because they don’t know about this colored-veggies’ benefits. It helps in calming indigestion and preventing constipation. The nutrients found in beets also have gut-protective properties.

4.Fermented Foods

The best examples of fermented foods include kefir and sauerkraut. They are rich in good bacteria that give a boost to your digestive system and immunity. It is recommended to take bio-yogurt everyday to enhance the level of gut bacteria.

You can also take yogurt for improving your digestive function. It is rich in healthy bacteria for the gut, helping improving digestion and reducing problems such as diarrhea and indigestion.

It is recommended to choose yogurt with the label saying “active” or “live”. If you can get yogurt with added fiber, it will be even better. Avoid sweetened yogurt. But you can add honey or berries to improve the flavor.

super-foods-gutImage Source

5.Ginger

Ginger is the superfood that is almost unmatchable in the food kingdom. It can help soothe heartburns. It helps promote the release of digestive juices including the bile, saliva, and gastric enzymes. The root also helps in balancing the gut flora.

6.Banana

The more bananas you can add to your diet, the more your digestion will improve. It can help fight constipation and replenish potassium to the body, which can get lost due to diarrhea. The proteins further help in the stabilization of nerves in the digestive tract.

7.Apples

Apples are rich in fiber, including pectin. It can help in giving relief from constipation or any digestive discomfort. It can also improve your digestive system’s health.

8.Peppermint

There has been the tradition of taking mint after dinner in many cultures. There is a good reason behind it. It is a powerful digestive aid. You can also adopt the habit to give a boost to your digestive system.

Importance of Good Bacteria in the Gut

Taking antibiotics and similar medications for a longer period can cause destruction of good bacteria in your gut. So if you are on a medication, it becomes even more important to take foods that replenish the healthy bacteria in your intestinal tract.

You can also eat foods which promote good bacteria growth. This includes:

  • Onions
  • Leeks
  • Asparagus
  • Chicory

All these food have a fiber type known as inulin, which is loved by bacteria. It is an indigestible fiber which gets fermented. It helps in bulking up stool and improving bowel movement too.

References:

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/superfoods/digestion.html

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/what-eat-better-digestion

http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/digestive-system-foods.html