For every nutritional deficiency or requirement, we head straight to supplements or medication. That is the short and simple way of solving the problems. But the best way to get essential nutrients is through different food items. There’s no better alternative than getting rid of nutritional deficiencies by having a healthy and balanced diet. Our body functions due to the response of different systems such as the respiratory system and digestive system. The digestive system comprises different parts and this system collectively is responsible for breaking down the nutrients in the food we eat and transfer the waste to the excretory system.
The nutrients that we eat are transported into the bloodstream and the small intestine and that is how body growth happens. This process is helped by digestive enzymes that play an important role in breaking down nutrients like fats, proteins and carbs into smaller molecules so that they can be easily absorbed. This is the reason that physicians suggest enzymes in the form of medicines whenever the digestive system is not functioning well.
Basically, Enzymes are of three types.
- Proteases: Proteases break down proteins into small peptides and amino acids for easy absorption.
- Lipases: Fats are broken down into three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule by Lipases.
- Amylases: They help in absorption of carbs by breaking them into simple sugars.
Enzymes are made in the small intestine but the problem arises when your body fails to produce enough enzymes. In such cases, the digestive system is affected as breaking down food molecules becomes difficult. This is when problems like indigestion are encountered.
Now, one way of overcoming this is going for medication right away. But what if this happens again or it is already happening repeatedly? What if there was a way to prevent this from happening ever again?
Well, there is a way and that is making correct eating choices. There are foods that contain digestive enzymes and they can not only improve the digestion process but also prevent you from problems like indigestion. In this article, we will tell you about 8 such foods.
Papaya
Papaya is an easily available fruit and it contains rich amounts of digestive enzymes. The tropical fruit contains proteases that help in breaking down proteins for better digestion. The proteases found in papayas is known as papain. It is a digestive supplement that is capable of promoting digestion when you consume foods like meat. Eating papaya regularly can also prevent you against problems like bloating and constipation.
Note: Pregnant women should not eat papaya as it may lead to stimulation of contractions.
Mango
Who doesn’t love mangoes, right? You’ll love the king of fruits even more after knowing how it benefits your digestive system. Mangoes contain digestive enzymes known as amylases. Amylases are a group of enzymes that help in breaking down carbs from starch into sugars like glucose and maltose. The presence of amylases is the reason that mangoes have a sweet taste. They are very helpful in breaking down carbs and promote digestion. Amylases mix in saliva very easily.
Pineapple
Pineapple is one of the most beneficial fruits. The fruit contains rich amounts of a group of digestive enzymes known as bromelain. These are a type of proteases that help in breaking down protein into smaller blocks and amino acids. This promotes digestion and helps in better absorption of proteins. Bromelain is used in a wide range of supplements available in the market. But you can get it easily if you eat pineapple on a regular basis.
Bananas
Bananas not only help in gaining healthy mass. They contain several digestive enzymes such as amylases and glucosidases. These two enzymes help in breaking down complex carbs like starch into smaller sugar fragments. These fragments are easy to absorb. As bananas start to ripen, the amount of these enzymes increase. This also adds to the sweet taste of bananas. That’s why yellow bananas are sweeter.
Avocados
Avocados are one of the richest fruits. They have rich antioxidant properties, proteins and are great for the overall immune system. Avocados also have the digestive enzyme called lipase. Lipase helps in digestion of fats by breaking fats into smaller molecules like fatty acids and glycerol. These smaller molecules are easier to digest. Lipase is generally produced in the pancreas but eating avocado frequently will only help you in strengthening the digestive system.
Kiwifruit
Another exotic fruit on the list, Kiwifruit has several digestive enzymes. The main digestive enzyme found in Kiwifruit is called actinidain which is a protease. This helps immensely in the digestion of proteins. This enzyme is particularly helpful in digestion of tough meats. Apart from this, several other enzymes are present in Kiwifruit. Kiwifruit is also very beneficial for overall digestion activity.
Also Read, 9 Lesser-Known Benefits Of Drinking Warm Water
Ginger
You can call it a herb or a vegetable. The reason is the versatility. Ginger has been a part of the kitchens since ages. From making the Tea strong to adding a unique flavour to curries, ginger is used for several purposes. It also has rich medicinal properties. What many do not know is ginger contains a protease called zingibain. Zingibain helps in digestion of proteins. This also prevents you against problems like indigestion. Zingibain is also commercially used for making ginger milk curd.
Kimchi
Many of you might be hearing the name for the very first time. Kimchi is a spicy Korean dish that is prepared from fermented vegetables. The recipe is available online and it is easy to prepare. KImchi contains bacteria from the Bacillus species that is known to produce proteases, lipases as well as amylases. These enzymes help greatly in digesting fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Kimchi also has several other health benefits such as keeping the cholesterol level down and cutting heart risk factors.
