Health Tips

Useful tips to improve digestion

1. Drink more water. One of the primary causes of constipation is insufficient water intake. The issue with constipation is that it fosters an imbalance of bacteria causing inflammation of the lining of the intestines.

2. Consume more fiber. Fiber is important for making solid stools and helping move food through the digestive tract, as such is a key factor in helping prevent many digestive disorders. Vegetables and certain fruits such as apples and berries are excellent sources.

3. Keep a food diary. Keeping a food diary can help identify offending foods. Some people find they can't drink milk but they can eat yogurt without any problems. Some people find that eating their salad at the end of a meal helps prevent constipation.

4. Test yourself for gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in most grains, such as wheat, barley and rye. Those who are sensitive to gluten can experience an imflammatory response that can lead to gastric distress - it has been estimated that as many as 60% of those with IBS symptoms have gluten intolerance. A simple and inexpensive way to test yourself for gluten sensitivity would be to remove gluten containing foods from your diet for six weeks and gradually re-introduce them to see how your system responds.

5. Take a priobiotic. Probiotics are tiny, "good" bacteria that naturally occur in the gut and destroy harmful bacteria, improve bowel movements and aid digestion. Some rich sources of probiotics are dairy products such as yogurt.