World Digestive Health Day is observed annually throughout the world on May 29. This day was established by the World Gastroenterology Organisation in 2004 to commemorate the organization’s 45th anniversary. World Digestive Health Day is celebrated globally to highlight the importance of the gastrointestinal tract, which plays a vital role in nutrient absorption, supporting the immune system, and hosting the intestinal microbiota.
The theme for World Digestive Health Day 2023 is “Your Digestive Health: A Healthy Gut From the Start, ” This theme highlights the importance of a good diet for promoting good digestive health. People who follow a healthy lifestyle and eat the right diet are less likely to experience digestive issues such as heartburn, acid reflux, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, bloating, etc.
To celebrate World Digestive Health Day 2023, let us learn more about the top 10 foods that are good for digestive health. So please keep reading.
Top 10 foods that improve digestion
Experiencing digestive issues such as gas, bloating, acid reflux, nausea, constipation, etc., are very common, and most people are affected by these. A healthy diet plays a vital role in improving digestion and reducing the symptoms of these digestive issues. Here’s a list of the top 10 foods you must add to your daily diet which can help you improve your digestion.
Curd
Curd is one of the most popular foods for digestion. This superfood is produced through the fermentation of milk with the aid of lactic acid bacteria. Curd is a rich source of probiotics, which are good bacteria that resides within the digestive tract and help improve digestion and promote a healthy gut. While the gut naturally contains probiotics, consuming curd and other probiotic-rich foods can enhance digestion and alleviate symptoms like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
Papaya
Papaya is a topical fruit that is enriched with papain. Papain is a digestive enzyme that supports the breakdown of protein fibres during digestion. This enzyme also helps in digestion by facilitating the breakdown of protein fibres. Papaya’s enzyme also helps in alleviating the symptoms of certain digestive issues, such as constipation and bloating.
Whole Grains
Whole-grain foods are rich in dietary fibre, which plays a beneficial role in digestion. The body metabolizes whole grains at a slow pace, leading to better management of blood sugar levels. Some of the whole grains to include in the diet are oats, quinoa, brown rice, etc.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are one of the best superfoods for improving digestion. This is because chia seeds are rich in fibre that, when consumed, form a gel-like substance in the stomach. This helps promote the healthy gut bacteria’s digestive health and growth. Chia seeds are also good to help patients with constipation as they help in maintaining regular bowel movements and promoting the formation of healthy stools.
Beetroot
Beets or beet root is a popular vegetable known for its various health benefits. Adding them to the daily diet can help in improving digestion. A cup of beetroot is known to have 3.4g of fibre in it. This fibre content in beets feeds the healthy gut bacteria and also improves the bulk of the stools, thereby facilitating there easy removal.
Beans
Beans such as kidney beans, navy beans, black beans etc., when consumed regularly in the diet, can help in digestive health. This is because these beans contain fibre which is good for digestion.
Leafy Greens
Leafy green vegetables are a rich source of insoluble fibre, which contributes to the bulkiness of stool, facilitating its movement through the digestive system at a faster rate. Additionally, these leafy green vegetables also contain magnesium which can aid in relieving constipation by enhancing muscle contractions in the gastrointestinal tract.
Avocado
Avocado is another superfood that contains fibre in abundance along with other nutrients such as potassium that improve digestive health.
Ginger
Ginger is a popular food known for its medicinal properties. It is popularly known for its digestive properties and ability to help with nausea. Studies have also shown that ginger can aid in gastric emptying, thereby reducing the risk of nausea, heartburn, etc.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is derived from the essential oils found in peppermint leaves. This oil has shown its effectiveness in addressing digestive issues. It contains menthol, a compound that shows the potential to alleviate symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as bloating, stomach discomfort, and irregular bowel movements.
It is vital to remember that while these 10 superfoods are good for digestive and gut health, it is always best to seek help from a doctor if you have digestive issues for a long time. This is because, in some cases, digestive problems may be caused by certain underlying conditions. Hence, getting a proper diagnosis of what is causing digestive issues in your body is best advised. You can also seek help from a nutritionist or dietician to get a personalized diet plan to improve your gut health.
Conclusion
While eating these foods can help in improving digestive health, it is essential to remember that there are several other things that can help make digestive health better. World Digestive Health Day 2023, take up the challenge to eat healthily and mindfully to enhance your gut health.
Apart from eating a healthy diet, certain other practices such as regular exercising, drinking lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, and practising stress relieving techniques such as yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises is also essential to improve digestive health. So, spread the word this World Digestive Health Day 2023 to create public awareness about healthy eating for a healthy gut.
At Ayu Health Network of Hospitals, we provide the best and most affordable treatment and care for all digestive problems. Our team of nutritionists and dieticians is highly experienced in providing the best nutrition plans to all our patients to ensure that they have a healthy gut and digestion in the long run. Visit us at ayu.health for appointments.
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About the Author
Dr. S. Goel
Dr. S. Goel is a renowned Internal Medicine Specialist currently practicing at Ayu Health, Bangalore. He is a Specialist in Internal Medicine, Diabetes HTN, Paediatric Care, and Family Medicine.