Digestion is perhaps one of the less-discussed topics when it comes to health and wellbeing. As a subject, it doesn’t have quite the same elegance to it as beauty, skincare or hair care, but it certainly is just as important. Having a healthy gut is not only beneficial for your physical health but is closely intertwined with all aspects of your overall health, including clearer skin, improved mental health and a better immune system.
By Team Savant
Image: jwlez
There are a few common mistakes many people make with regards to having a healthier digestive tract. The first step is to recognise the sign of an unhealthy gut in order to transform your approach to healthy digestion.
Indicators of Poor Digestion
One of the signs of poor digestion is an irregular sleeping pattern and low energy levels. Often, people with an unhealthy gut do not realise that this is a sign of their digestive health and mistake it for the exhaustion brought by work and life generally. Heartburn and indigestion are also common signs of poor digestion, which, like troubled sleeping habits, can relate both to physical health and be brought on by stress. You can ease the discomfort of indigestion by using any number of treatments which could be ordered from an online pharmacy.
One of the more obvious signs of poor digestion is an irritated stomach, such as constipation. The unpleasant experience of constipation is caused by a lack of fibre in the diet and results in feeling bloated and tired. This can be improved by constipation tablets, especially when used in conjunction with some fundamental lifestyle changes.
Achieving a Healthy Balance
Image: Brittany Neale
There are many different facets to consider when trying to improve digestive health. One of the first steps might be to isolate any possible causes for the irritation. Digestion can often be upset by certain foods or by prescription medicines. If there is anything new in your diet or healthcare plan that’s caused you to feel different or unwell, speaking to a doctor and altering this accordingly will help to achieve a happier gut.
A healthy, happy digestive system is improved by broadening the food groups in your diet. This doesn’t mean cutting out all the good stuff, just lowering your intake of saturated fats and processed foods. These types of foods are harder to digest as well as raising cholesterol. A great alternative can be to use some plant-based substitutes, as these tend to be much lower in saturated fat and calories. Some top foods for good digestion are yoghurt, fruits, chia seeds and whole grains. The benefit of a high-fibre diet is that fibre helps to move food through the digestive tract, reducing irritation by keeping the process smooth.
A few other simple ways to improve gut health are exercising more and drinking lots of water. Like fibre, exercise helps to keep the digestive tract moving smoothly while hydration helps to break down foods so that the nutrients can be better absorbed. Essentially, enjoy the foods you love in moderation and make sure you dip into all the different food groups to have a wholesome, varied diet to keep your gut and your mind flourishing.