Let's Talk About Digestive Health

Let’s be honest digestive health is the last thing on your mind after eating Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast, McDonald's for lunch with a small shake, for dinner you probably picked up more fast food, and let's not forget the many snacks you consume at work! We all have bad habits when it comes to our food consumption, and we give little to no regard to our health we just want to satisfy our hunger. 

So why is our digestive system so important? Scientifically our digestive system plays a major role in our overall health and brings nutrients to our body. Without good digestive health, we can experience uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain, indigestion, bloating, and more. If we continue to ignore our digestive health, it can lead to chronic health issues such as GRD, IBS, Colon Cancer, and Diverticulosis. Many of these diseases can be prevented just by adjusting our diet. 

Here are some tips to keep your digestive system healthy.

Drink Plenty of Water 

Our digestive system needs plenty of water to function properly. Make sure you drink enough water according to your weight and activity level. Without proper hydration, you can experience constipation, dehydration, and other health issues. In general, you should try to drink between half an ounce and one ounce of water for each pound you weigh. For example, if you weigh 150lbs, you should drink between 75 to 150 ounces of water per day. 

Eat Plenty of Fiber

A high-fiber diet is a great way to improve your digestive health. Fiber helps to regulate bowel movements, so they are not too loose or too hard. Most high-fiber foods tend to be low in calories, sugar, and fat. According to the American Heart Association, you should intake 25 to 30 grams of fiber from food, not supplements per day. The average American eats less than 15 grams of fiber per day. 

List of high-fiber foods

• Beans
• Broccoli
• Berries
• Avocados
• Popcorn
• Whole Grains
• Apples
• Potatoes 
• Nuts
• Lentils 
• Oats
• Chia Seeds

Supplement with a Probiotic 

First question. What is a probiotic, and how can it help? Probiotics are tiny microorganisms that deliver a host of health benefits. They support healthy body systems from your mouth to your gut, they help control harmful microorganisms like outside bacteria. Probiotics also help manage IBS, constipation, weight gain, and diarrhea. At the right levels, probiotics aid in digestion and improve nutrient absorption. Probiotics occur naturally in fermented foods and cultured milk, but you can also take a supplement. 

Essentials4Me offers a wide variety of Probiotic Supplements. 

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