Foods and Health of the Digestive System
The best place to look for signs of health is in our stomach. In addition to being in charge of helping our bodies absorb food, the gut flora determines our levels of immunity and inflammation. The bacteria in your stomach control your weight, whether you have acid reflux, and how well your digestive system functions. Furthermore, there are more consequences for our diet than we realise. A poor diet can cause a number of issues, including diarrhoea, constipation, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Furthermore, the “not eating right” phenomenon gets worse during the holiday season! Party plans will take precedence over any healthy diet as the New Year draws near! Nevertheless, let us examine:
Foods That Are Hard To Digest
Foods High in Carbs
Eating foods high in carbohydrates can alter the gut flora and increase inflammation, which can have long-term negative effects on health. For instance, although they are mostly composed of water, potatoes may be regarded as a food high in carbohydrates. Due to their high carbohydrate content, foods like rice, pasta, pretzels, bagels, and doughnuts are more detrimental to the body.
Deep-fried Food
Fried food should be strictly prohibited because it is bad for the body in many ways. It is difficult to digest in addition to packing on extra weight. They are difficult for the body to break down, so they can pass through the intestines without doing so and result in bloating or diarrhoea. Most fried foods have a low fibre content, which makes them difficult to digest. They might even make you constipated. If you are experiencing digestive distress, consider serving low-fat, non-fried foods to help heal your gut. You should eliminate even the foods high in fat from your diet.
Processed Food
One of the biggest offenders when it comes to our health is processed food. They contain unnecessary additives and preservatives, have no nutritional value, are low in fibre, and cause gastrointestinal distress. A few of them might also include lactose, which could exacerbate your digestive problems. In addition to making people fatter, processed foods also raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and gas, bloating, and cramping. If you are unable to abstain from processed foods entirely, pair them with a lean protein or another food that digests more slowly to boost their nutritional content and lessen digestive issues.
Artificial Sweeteners
Sorbitol is the most prevalent artificial sweetener that causes stomach irritation. Certain fruits, including apples, prunes, and peaches, naturally contain it. When sorbitol is added to diet foods and chewing gum, it can result in bloating, diarrhoea, and gas. Artificial sweeteners raise inflammatory levels in the body and may be the cause of numerous other health issues. In certain cases, they even cause an increase in belly fat.
Alcohol
Alcohol is detrimental to the liver and stomach. It is extremely harmful to the body and can lead to serious health issues like addiction and cirrhosis. Alcohol, even in moderation, has the potential to relax the oesophageal sphincter, which can result in acid reflux and heartburn. When consumed in excess, it can induce cramps, diarrhoea, and stomach lining inflammation. Furthermore, alcohol slows down the body’s processes for metabolising fat and contains only empty calories.
Also read: 6 Best Michelin star Chefs in India
Coffee
This is unfortunate news for those who cannot function without their daily cup of coffee: consuming excessive amounts of caffeine can damage your digestive system. Food spends less time in the stomach when gastrointestinal tract motility is increased. Low nutrition levels and diarrhoea result from this. Being a diuretic, it can dehydrate the body, which can result in constipation. Caffeine also causes the stomach to produce more acid. A person experiencing stomach issues ought to avoid caffeine-containing foods and beverages, such as chocolates and tea. Restrict how much coffee you drink, and try not to consume it when you’re hungry.
