The food you eat plays an important role in your gastrointestinal health. Some foods can be difficult to digest and lead to bloating and heartburn while others increase the healthy bacteria in your gut and make digestion easier. 

Here are ten things you should include in your diet for a healthy digestive system.

1. Bananas: Bananas help regulate bowel movements and help bind food waste together thus helping with irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. They also help restore the electrolyte and potassium balance in the stomach.

2. Oats: Oats are rich in fiber and low in calories. It is also a rich source of phosphorus, vitamin E and Zinc. Oats helps with the proper functioning of the digestive system and the extraction of waste.

3. Curd: Curd rice is the most well known home remedy for an upset stomach. Curd is a rich source of probiotics that helps restore the balance of healthy gut bacteria and eases digestion.

4. Coconut oil: Coconut oil is an excellent substitute for normal cooking oil or butter. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and fatty acids that ease the digestive system and boost immunity and energy levels.

5. Lentils: Lentils are rich in prebiotics and fiber. These prebiotics promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria and prevent harmful bacteria from causing stomach infections.

6. Ginger: Herbs and spices are very helpful with digestion. Amongst these, ginger is foremost. It can be used to treat a number of stomach infections such as bloating, nausea and diarrhea. Ginger also helps 
speed up the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines.

7. Vegetables: Vegetables are rich in fiber and probiotics. While beetroots help relieve constipation, sweet potatoes help treat ulcers and bowel problems. Other vegetables that aid digestion include cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots.

8. Brown rice: A certain amount of carbohydrates are essential for a well balanced diet. Brown rice has a high calorific value but is less fattening. Brown rice helps food move smoothly through the digestive system and hence promotes regularity.

9. Peppermint: Peppermint helps ease indigestion and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint can be had on its own as a flavoring agent in salads and on fruits or taken as a supplement.

10. Water: Water is crucial to healthy digestion. It helps smooth the movement of food through the digestive system and out of the bowels. Inadequate water is one of the most common causes of constipation. Ideally, you should have a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.

10 Foods That Support Your Digestive Health

Foods that make your stomach bloat

Do you feel your stomach bloat after meals? if you notice, this doesn't happen after every meal? only at times. And at other times when you eat specific foods. Well, there are foods cause your stomach to bloat, so the wise thing to do is to know about them and avoid them! 

Here are a few of the biggest criminals:

1. Cold drinks: yes, these carbonated drinks have numerous side effects on your health. One of them is that they bloat your tummy. Beer happens to fall in this category too.

2. Dairy products: for the lactose intolerant, dairy products are almost like poison. The intolerance can be mild, moderate of severe, but one of the symptoms is gas. You can try to limit your consumption of dairy products.

3. Apples: apples and pears are known to contain high percentage of fiber. While they are important for us and should be eaten, if is good to know that they can affect sensitive tummies. Eat bit by bit, and if it helps, peel the skin and then eat.

4. Few veggies: while they are excellent health foods, asparagus, cabbage and broccoli are vegetable which cause gas in the stomach, which in turn leads to bloating of the tummy.

5. Sodium: sodium is also another reason for bloated tummies, so it is advised to limit salt intake.
6. Fast foods: fast foods like sausages, fried foods, ice cream, sweetened products, etc are known to cause the belly to bloat.

7. Rice preparations: rice is known to swell up inside the stomach once it gets water, hence making the stomach feel bloated.

8. Hard drinks: alcohol is also said to add on weight near the stomach and make it feel bloated.


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The 8 Foods That Bloat Your Belly!

The human digestive system is a very complicated and sizeable component of the body. It starts right at the beginning of the mouth, ending at the rectum. Some of the major responsibilities of the digestive system include absorption of essential nutrients and elimination of wastes.

Not only do digestive problems have embarrassing and unwanted symptoms, serious, chronic diseases can be caused if the minor problems are not treated.

Some digestive problems are listed below:

GERD: This is a burning sensation that results from acids in the stomach being squirted into the oesophagus. A burning sensation is felt, right from the chest to the end of the throat. Frequent heartburns can lead to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), symptoms of which include dry cough, sore throat, chest discomfort and difficulty in swallowing.
Bloating: This is caused due to the presence of excess gas in the colon, small intestines or the stomach.
Dyspepsia: This is an uncomfortable feeling or pain which occurs in the upper abdominal regions, mostly a result of excess food intake. It is commonly referred to as indigestion. Dyspepsia can be discomforting and if prolonged, medical assistance should be opted for.
Chronic Constipation: Persistent constipation (chronic) is a sign that there is a problem with the elimination of wastes. This usually happens when the colon is unable to move or pass stools. Other major causes of chronic constipation can be changes in your usual diet, various eating disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and excessive consumption of dairy products among others.
Food Intolerance: This occurs when the digestive system is unable to tolerate certain food items. This condition is different from food allergies as it only affects the digestive system. Some of the common symptoms include diarrhoea, headache, gas and vomiting.
Possible Serious Conditions-

A gastroenterologist is a type of doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases involving the digestive system. If you continue to experience digestion problems, it s time to make an appointment.

More serious signs could mean an emergency medical problem. Those signs include:

bloody stools
continuous vomiting
severe abdominal cramps
sweating
sudden, unintentional weight loss
These symptoms could be an indication of an infection, gallstones, hepatitis, internal bleeding, or cancer.

Medications-

You may be able to overcome digestion problems with treatment and lifestyle changes. Certain diseases of the digestive system might be long-term, but medications can help alleviate symptoms.

Identifying specific digestion problems and talking with a gastroenterologist can go a long way in terms of helping your doctor give you a proper diagnosis. Remember, you don t have to put up with constant digestive issues.

Problems Related To Digestion!

After eating a meal to your heart s content, it is very normal to burp or belch. However, it is normal only when it happens occasionally, or after a meal, for someone used to a contented meal every single time. On the other hand, excessive burping or belching can happen due to two reasons.

Excessive air intake: There are multiple ways that excessive air can reach the food pipe. Sucking on straws, chewing gum constantly and ill-fitting dentures are some common reasons for burping.
Digestive problems: Ulcers in the stomach, prolonged gastric, gallstones and rarely, esophageal or stomach cancers can also cause burping.
When to see a doctor
Check with a doctor if you have persistent burping, followed by a meal or otherwise, and accompanied by the following symptoms.

Nausea
Bloody stools
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Weight loss
Fever
Preventing belching



Go slow when eating and/or drinking: Most of us are pressed for time and eating and/or drinking has now become a task that needs to be finished quickly. Eating fast causes air to be swallowed, and therefore one of the best ways to stop burping is to eat slowly. Sitting in a calm, relaxing environment when eating also allows one to enjoy the food and avoid or stop burping.
Avoid talking while eating: There is always so much to catch up, whether at home or outside. So, talking while eating is a common practice. This is not just bad manners, but there is also a lot of air that is swallowed, which leads to burping. A solution is to chew the food properly, which not just helps stop burping, but also aids in better food digestion by mixing it adequately with saliva.
Substitute coke with water: Carbonated drinks are another reason for belching. Replacing them with water, tea, or anything noncarbonated is advisable, not just from burping perspective, but also from the excessive sugar consumption. Carbonated drinks are just sugar solutions, and are absolutely of no nutritive value.
Avoid straw: When possible, drink from a glass and avoid straws. This reduces the amount of gas taken in and helps stop burping
Quit smoking: Quitting it has multiple health benefits, and getting rid of smoking is just one of them.
Dentures: Ill-fitting dentures can be a reason for belching, and so they should be checked and corrected, if required, in a person who has persistent burping.
Chewing gum: Constantly chewing gum contributes to burping, and so avoiding chewing gum or sucking on hard candy is another way to control burping.
Avoid certain foods: Foodstuffs like broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, sprouts, and lentils can produce excessive gas and should be avoided in people who have persistent burping.
Follow the above steps in your daily routine; still if your burping problem persists, it is time to consult your physician.

Burp A Lot? 8 Ways You Can Prevent It!

Also known as flatulence, gastric problems do not really mean any kind of disease. Rather, these occur as a result of some underlying condition or some distress affecting the digestive system. Gastric problems generally take their toll on the health of the person by showing their effects either as stomach pain or by making the person lose his appetite. These gastric problems generally come along with some of the serious health conditions like diarrhoea or problems like indigestion. It is now easy to treat flatulence by using the remedies that are readily available in households. 

Forms of gastric problem
Gastric problems do not generally occur alone and they usually come along with other conditions like digestive distress, diarrhoea or even cramps. Commonly this condition can be seen in three forms in a person. One is burping, the second form is belching and the third is flatulence. Each has their own magnitude of impact on the person. All three causes annoying effects to the person and can be taken care of with the help of some home remedies. The gastric problem can be of two types. One is the acute gastritis and the other is chronic gastritis. The first problem can be cleared off within few days time and the second problem needs some extra care and treatment. 

Symptoms of gastric problem
Some cases of gastric problem can be minor and can be taken care of easily. These problems can be resolved in a matter of one or two days. Other forms of flatulence can be severe and can cause other weaknesses in the body. Doctors say that gastric problems can be identified with the help of few easily comprehensible symptoms. 

Some of the common symptoms of the gastric problems are: 
- Constant pain in the abdominal region
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite 
- Repeated vomiting and nausea
- Increased pressure and pain in the chest area
- Persistent headache
- Sudden dizziness during work

Solution for the problem: 
There are some common home remedies for gastric worries which include: 
- A little cinnamon powder can be mixed with a glass of warm milk and can be taken along with honey.
- 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar must be mixed with a glass of warm water and cooled to the room temperature and drunk.
- Equal amounts of fennel, ginger and cardamom must be ground together and a pinch of hing must be added to it and mixed with a cup of water. It must be taken twice a day.
- 1 spoon each of carom seeds and black salt must be added to buttermilk and the solution has to be drunk.

Treat Gastric Problems Naturally

The uneasy feeling in our abdomen, feeling inflated or growing in size is a common problem faced by people anywhere in the world. Medical professionals refer to this as  bloating,' i.e., a feeling of a full, tight, abdomen. The abdominal system includes organs such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, intestines, etc. It is when the gastrointestinal tract is filled with gas, pain due to bloating arises. Such bloating brings pain in different parts of the body (which would be continuously shifting) along with a feeling of a swollen tummy (though not physically swollen actually). 

This article shares the common causes of bloating and tries to help its readers find a solution.

Overeating: Many of us can recall exactly how many times we have ignored the level of consumption in a particular meal and then felt an irritable stomach pain. Overeating refers to the consumption of food more than the amount of energy an organism can produce in one process. Along with weight gain and obesity, bloating might also result from overeating. The fact is, overeating is completely voluntary, and hence, a person can choose to avoid over-consumption of food and thereby, the pain from bloating.
Lactose intolerance: The terminology might not be familiar, yet over 65% of the global population is lactose intolerant. It varies with age and gender, and anyone has either of the four different types of lactose intolerance   primary, secondary, developmental, and congenital. Though lactose intolerance does not cause damage to the gastrointestinal system, inability to digest thesugar in milk (lactose) can cause abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, etc.
Irritable bowel syndrome: People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are yet to know what caused it in the first place. Though the exact causes of IBS are yet to be known, many doctors blame the miscommunication between the brain and the intestinal tract of a person which causes abnormal expansion and contraction of the intestinal walls. This results in irritable pain and abnormal bowel movement. 
Two cases might arise due to IBS

The abnormal movement of the intestinal walls might speed up the excretion process and hence, the passage of stool   diarrhea.
The spasms might slow down the excretion process resulting in constipation.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can occur over the years, and the absolute cure is yet to be found. Additional symptoms of IBS are   bloating and excess gas, pain in the lower belly, mucus in stools, etc.

Solutions to bloating
Bloating can be easily taken care of if the person is ready to implement certain dietary changes. For example, avoiding gassy foods such as cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, reduces the formation of gas in the stomach. Limiting the amount of fatty foods and foods with high fiber content, quitting milk products (if lactose intolerant), can help a lot. A diet plan, getting active and regularly exercising can help to eliminate the problem of gas and bloating.

Conclusion
Even though bloating can be uncomfortable and painful at times, it is not a cause for concern. Bloating can be remedied quite easily with a proper diet chart and routine exercise.

Bloating - Why It Happens?

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