wellhealthorganic.com simple ways to improve digestive system in hindi : Making adjustments to your diet and lifestyle can positively impact your gut health. Many people occasionally experience digestive issues like stomach discomfort, gas, heartburn, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. However, frequent occurrences of these symptoms can disrupt your daily life.

Opt for Whole Foods

Whole foods are minimally processed and packed with nutrients, offering various health benefits. In contrast, highly processed foods common in Western diets are often rich in refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and food additives. Processed foods have been linked to an increased risk of digestive disorders.
improve digestive system

Food additives like glucose, salt, and other chemicals have been suggested to contribute to gut inflammation. Inflammation can compromise the integrity of your intestinal barrier, leading to increased gut permeability, which is associated with various health conditions.
Some processed foods may still contain harmful trans fats, even though partially-hydrogenated oils were banned in 2018. Trans fats are known for their negative impact on heart health and have also been associated with inflammatory bowel disease .
Moreover, processed foods like low-calorie drinks and ice creams often contain low-calorie or no-calorie sugar substitutes. Some of these sweeteners may cause digestive issues, such as bloating and diarrhea, and may also disrupt gut bacteria.
Imbalances in gut bacteria are linked to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Scientific evidence suggests that diets rich in nutrients protect against digestive diseases. Therefore, prioritizing whole foods and limiting processed ones is ideal for optimal digestion.

Summary:

Processed foods are linked to a higher risk of digestive disorders. Opt for whole foods, avoid trans fats, and be cautious of artificial sweeteners to improve digestion and prevent digestive diseases.

Increase Fiber Intake

Fiber is well-known for promoting good digestion. Soluble fiber absorbs water and adds bulk to stool, while insoluble fiber acts as a natural “toothbrush” for your digestive tract.
Soluble fiber can be found in foods like oats, barley, and legumes, whereas whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are excellent sources of insoluble fiber.
The daily recommended intake for fiber is 25 grams for women aged 19 to 50 and 38 grams for men in the same age group. However, many people in the United States consume only half of the recommended amount.
A high-fiber diet is associated with a reduced risk of digestive conditions like constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer.
Prebiotics, a type of fiber, nourish healthy gut bacteria and can improve barrier function and reduce gut inflammation. Prebiotics are found in various fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Summary:

A high-fiber diet supports regular bowel movements and guards against digestive disorders. Soluble and insoluble fiber, along with prebiotics, contribute to digestive health.

Incorporate Healthy Fats

Adequate fat intake is essential for digestion, as fat helps you feel full after a meal and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like flaxseeds, chia seeds, nuts (especially walnuts), and fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines, may reduce the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis.

Summary:

Healthy fats play a crucial role in nutrient absorption and overall digestion. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in various foods, may help prevent inflammatory bowel diseases.

Stay Hydrated

Adequate fluid intake is essential to prevent constipation. Your daily fluid intake includes plain water, other beverages, and foods you consume.
It’s recommended to drink plenty of water each day, especially in warm climates, during strenuous exercise, and when feeling unwell. Herbal teas and non-caffeinated beverages like seltzer water also contribute to hydration.
Including water-rich fruits and vegetables like cucumber, peppers, broccoli, strawberries, apples, and oranges in your diet can help meet your fluid needs.

Summary:

Insufficient fluid intake can lead to constipation. Ensure you consume enough water and non-caffeinated beverages and incorporate water-rich fruits and vegetables into your diet.

Manage Stress

Stress can negatively affect your digestive system, leading to issues like stomach ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, and IBS.
Stress hormones directly impact digestion, diverting blood and energy away from the digestive system during periods of stress. Additionally, your gut and brain are interconnected, so what affects your mind can impact digestion.
Stress management techniques such as meditation, relaxation training, deep belly breathing, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and yoga have been shown to alleviate digestive symptoms.

Summary:

Stress can disrupt digestion, but stress management techniques like meditation and yoga can help improve digestive symptoms.

Eat Mindfully

Practicing mindful eating involves paying attention to every aspect of your food and the eating process.
Studies suggest that mindfulness can reduce digestive symptoms in people with conditions like ulcerative colitis and IBS.

To eat mindfully, try to:

Eat slowly.

Focus on your food by turning off distractions like the TV and phone.
Pay attention to the appearance, aroma, texture, temperature, and taste of your food.

Summary:

Mindful eating, which involves paying attention to the sensory aspects of your food, can help prevent common digestive problems like indigestion and bloating.

Chew Your Food Thoroughly

Digestion begins in the mouth, where your teeth break down food into smaller pieces to facilitate enzymatic breakdown in the digestive tract.
Thorough chewing helps your stomach work more efficiently and produces saliva, which initiates digestion by breaking down carbohydrates and fats in your meal. Chewing food thoroughly can help prevent indigestion and heartburn.
Chewing may also reduce stress and improve digestion.

Summary:

Chewing your food thoroughly aids in digestion by breaking down food into smaller particles and promoting saliva production.

Stay Active

Regular exercise can significantly enhance digestion by aiding food movement through your digestive system. Even a short walk after a meal can help.
Different forms of exercise may have varying effects on digestion. Gentle exercises like Qigong, walking, and physical movement have been shown to improve constipation symptoms.
Exercise also has anti-inflammatory effects and may reduce symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Summary:

Regular exercise supports digestion by promoting the movement of food through the digestive system and reducing inflammation.

Pay Attention to Hunger and Fullness Cues

Ignoring your body’s hunger and fullness cues can lead to overeating, gas, bloating, and indigestion.
It’s commonly believed that it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize fullness, although scientific evidence varies. Paying attention to your body’s signals and eating slowly may help prevent digestive issues after meals.

Summary:

Listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues can prevent overeating and reduce digestive discomfort.

Consider Lifestyle Changes

Certain habits like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and late-night eating can negatively impact digestion.
Smoking is a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and quitting smoking can improve acid reflux symptoms.
Excessive alcohol intake can increase stomach acid production, leading to heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers . It’s also associated with inflammatory bowel diseases and harmful gut bacteria changes.
Eating late at night and lying down afterward can cause heartburn and indigestion. It’s recommended to wait three to four hours after eating before lying down.

Summary:

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and avoiding late-night eating can improve digestion.

Include Gut-Supporting Nutrients

Certain nutrients can support digestive health:
Probiotics: These beneficial bacteria, found in fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and yogurt with live cultures, can improve digestive health by breaking down indigestible fibers and reducing symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Certain probiotic supplements have also been linked to reduced IBS pain.
Glutamine: An amino acid found in foods like beef, eggs, and tofu, glutamine may reduce intestinal permeability and inflammation.
Zinc: A mineral crucial for a healthy gut, zinc supplementation can be beneficial for treating various digestive issues.

Summary:

Incorporating probiotics, glutamine, and zinc into your diet or as supplements can support digestive health.
In conclusion, making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can have a positive impact on digestive health. Prioritizing whole foods, fiber, healthy fats, hydration, stress management, mindful eating, thorough chewing, physical activity, and paying attention to your body’s cues can alleviate common digestive problems. Additionally, quitting smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, and avoiding late-night eating can improve digestion. Lastly, consider including gut-supporting nutrients like probiotics, glutamine, and zinc in your diet.