How to Maintain a Healthy Digestive System

Many of us diet, exercise and watch what we eat, but how many of us think about our digestive system while we do it? Many people are too caught up in calories, carbs and pounds. Another thing you must think about is what certain foods do to your digestive tract. Here are some easy to
follow steps to a healthier bowel.

1.) Have A Healthy Diet

- Seems simple enough right? Fiber is key. The more fiber you have in your diet, the better your digestive tract can be at digestion! It keeps your stool at a regular and consistent solidity. It also helps with the passage of material. The ideal amount of fiber per day is about 30g. Having the right amount of fiber in your diet can also lower the risk of several health problems such as diverticular disease, heart disease, and colorectal cancer.

- Eat less processed or fast foods. Yes they taste great, but keep it to a minimum.

- Drink plenty of fluids, but less alcohol. Alcohol inflames the lining of the stomach, while water helps to dissolve materials and helps with the passage and softening of stool.

- Take your medications as directed. After all, the directions really are there just for your health!

2.) Try Red Beets, and Beet Greens

- Beets are very high in fiber and promote healthy and regular digestive flow. Red beets also contain thorough amounts of potassium and magnesium. Beet greens contain high amounts beta-carotene, iron, and calcium. All of these nutrients are essential to maintaining a healthy and smooth lining in your digestive tract.

3.) Eat Moderately, Slowly, and Regularly

- Slow down! Digestion starts in the mouth, so slow down, and enjoy your meal! Also, relaxed eating actually relaxes the digestive nerves. Not to mention, thoroughly chewed food is easier for your digestive tract to digest!

- Eat on a schedule. If you eat regularly, your body will develop a routine and be much better able to adapt to your eating happens. Skipping meals may seem like a good dieting strategy, but it's really not.

4.) Try Yukon Gold and Sweet Potatoes

- These potatoes are very rich in complex carbohydrates, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese. All of which are essential. It is also found that these potatoes and their nutrients help some ulcers and relieve Inflammatory bowel disease.

5.) Exercise!

- Come on folks, get up and go! Regular exercise strengthens the abdomen and stimulates the intestine to push materials through your system. You also feel great after a good exercise so not only are you helping your colon, you are also boosting your own
morale!

6.) Eat Avocados!

- A single medium size avocado contains up to 15g of fiber! It is one of the most fibrous fruits available! They can also be consumed by most any age group. They contain healthy fats that are important to the health of your digestive tract. They stimulate healthy functioning of your pancreas, gall bladder, and liver.

7.) Eat Oats!

- Oats are packed full of fiber. They're also abundant in selenium, thiamine, phosphorus, and manganese. Whole oats also contain small amounts of copper, folate, vitamin E, and zinc. So eat a bowl of oatmeal! However if you do not react well to the nutrient gluten, steer clear of whole oats.

8.) Keep Stress Down

- Stress has been shown to affect the digestive nerves. In some people it will also slow down your digestive system, upsetting the delicate balance of digestion. In others, it will speed up the process but lower efficiency causing the person to have to empty their bowels often and loosely.

9.) Cod Liver Oil

- Sounds nasty right? Wrong! This oil is chocked full of vitamin A & D. These are essential to maintaining the lining of your GI tract. Keep it smooth and keep it running efficiently!

10.) Quit Smoking!

- Smoking has been linked to many deadly cancers. It has also been shown to irritate the bowels. Smoking also lowers the pressure between the esophagus and stomach which promotes acid reflux.

In conclusion, if you want to maintain a healthy digestive system, you'll have to make some changes. You may not like them now, but you will definitely feel like a new person once you've done it!