Health tips: While diet plays a significant role, specific drinks can also be beneficial. Whether you’re feeling bloated, backed up, or nauseous. Here are seven drinks to improve your digestion.
If your digestive system feels underperforming, these drinks might help. That’s right certain beverages could aid in getting your digestion back on track and running smoothly. Your gut health influences many other parts of your body, including your mood, heart, and immunity, so maintaining it is crucial. Try one of these seven drinks to improve your digestion. However, remember that moderation is key. Start slowly and consider stocking up on extra TP just in case! (Image: Canva).
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Kombucha: Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, is loaded with probiotics. A study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition found that consuming probiotics reduced gut transit time, increased stool frequency, and decreased bloating. The findings were most significant when multiple probiotic strains were consumed, says dietician and wellness coach Priyal Mathur. Fortunately, kombucha offers a variety of probiotic strains and in high quantities. (Image: Canva).
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Smoothies: The key to making a smoothie beneficial for digestion is to ensure it contains both soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre absorbs water, softening stools and making them easier to pass. It is found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Insoluble fibre, found in the skins of fruits and vegetables and whole grains, does not absorb water but acts as roughage, helping to move things through the GI tract, says Mathur. (Image: Canva).
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Chia seed tonic: It can benefit digestion due to their high soluble and insoluble fibre content. A single tablespoon of chia seeds contains about 4 grams of fibre, which is 14 percent of the daily recommended amount. This high fibre content helps keep your digestive tract functioning properly. (Image: Canva).
Ginger tea: Ginger is well-known for its ability to quell nausea and has been found to aid digestion by encouraging GI function and emptying while stabilising overall GI motility. (Image: Canva).
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Aloe vera juice: Aloe vera juice is soothing for the digestive tract and can reduce inflammation and promote healthy bowel movements. It’s beneficial for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may also help with gastric inflammation, ulcers, and acid reflux due to its enzymatic and antioxidant compounds, says Mathur. (Image: Canva).
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Pineapple juice: Pineapple juice contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps break down protein chains into absorbable amino acids. This aids general protein digestion and can relieve gastric troubles such as bloating, gas, and IBS following meat meals. Bromelain also shows promise in countering heartburn by protecting stomach linings from damaging acids. (Image: Canva).
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Papaya juice: Papaya juice contains papain, a protein-digesting enzyme that aids in food breakdown and promotes regularity. Its fibre, antioxidants, and micronutrients collectively stimulate healthy bowel function while controlling flatulence-provoking bacteria. The seeds of papaya pack an extra digestive punch. Other juices, like tart cherry and pomegranate for inflammation, or fennel and celery for bloating, also show promise. Now, you know both the science and traditional wisdom behind juices for better digestion. (Image: Canva).
