When the digestive system is not functioning properly, it has many ways to alert you. These can be strange sounds emanating from the stomach, gases that cause pain and more. What the stomach is trying to say is that it is a bit difficult for her and she needs a little help, and you can definitely help her if you drink the right things after a meal. Of course, it is recommended to consume healthy and nutritious food in advance, but the following drinks will not harm, and vice versa - they will only benefit and are worth trying.
What should we drink after a meal for better digestion?
When food or liquid enters the body, it passes through the esophagus to the stomach, where it is broken down by digestive enzymes. From here they move to the intestines, where the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. Throughout this process, the good bacteria in the intestines play a significant role in the function of the organ. In fact, problems such as obesity or inflammatory bowel diseases are often linked to a disturbance in the activity of these friendly bacteria. Water and fiber also play an important role in this process, as they help the passage of food and waste left over through the intestines and the process that softens them.
The right drinks can encourage the absorption of nutrients from the food you eat, improve gut health and prevent gut inflammation, and these drinks include:
-
Water: In addition to being necessary for proper digestion, studies show that drinking warm water may help the friendly bacteria in the gut to thrive..
-
Spiced herbal tea: mint, turmeric, ginger, fennel - all these plants can reduce inflammation and soothe symptoms of digestive problems.
-
Plum juice: This juice is full of fiber, so it helps relieve bowel movements.
-
Green smoothie: A smoothie full of fruits and vegetables has a high content of liquids and fiber, both of which help food and waste pass through the intestines smoothly.
-
Kombucha tea: This is an excellent source of probiotics, and studies even show that it aids in the absorption of nutrients from food.
-
Kefir: This drink is rich in probiotics, and has many great health benefits, including strengthening the immune system and even protection against cancer.
What drinks should we avoid after a meal?
While some drinks are very helpful for digestion, there are other drinks that are less helpful and even harm the process. For example, carbonated drinks can increase the level of acidity in the stomach, which causes bloating and hiccups. Studies also show that consuming a high amount of alcohol can lead to intestinal inflammation, damage to the digestive tract and a general negative effect on the health of the digestive system. It is also worth remembering that if you are sensitive to lactose, milk may cause you to suffer from digestive problems.
One drink, however, about which opinions are divided is coffee, and to this day more research is still needed to understand whether it is healthy or harmful to digestion. On the one hand, it encourages the action of the intestines, and on the other hand, it may prevent the absorption of certain substances such as iron, and since it is a diuretic, it may even cause excessive elimination from the body of soluble vitamins such as vitamin C or vitamin A. It may be better to simply stick to the drinks we recommended, and keep the The coffee for the time between meals.
What else can be done to help the digestive system?
If you want to take it one step further, you can also do the following to further improve the functioning of your digestive system:
- Go for a walk - you don't have to make an effort, it's enough just to walk at a leisurely pace to help the food move through the digestive system.
-
Don't lie down or go to sleep immediately after a meal, as this may slow down digestion
-
Take probiotics to improve your gut health.
- Try to avoid stress or learn how to deal with it, for example with the help of breathing exercises, yoga, etc.
-
Consult a dietitian regarding foods that you may be advised to avoid
In conclusion
If you suffer from digestive system problems that plague you often, for example if you experience bloating after meals, you should definitely try drinking the drinks we recommended. You can even be satisfied with warm water, but of course you should vary and see what makes you feel better or less. It is always recommended to consult a doctor, but it is certainly possible to start taking the first steps to a healthier life from here.
