A few simple ways to enhance your digestive capacity

Without adequate digestion, you can’t metabolise and absorb the nutrients you need out of the food you consume. Lowered digestive capacity can also leave you feeling bloated and sluggish. Impacting your daily energy levels. Here are a few dietary inclusions I like to use to get the digestive juices going and to take the pressure off the body’s metabolic system.

 

Bitter greens. 

My favourites, which are more commonly found at your local grocer, are rocket and kale. But i also love dandelion greens, often found in specialty whole-food stores. These greens have compounds within known as alkaloids which stimulate bitter receptors and trigger the body to release more saliva, gastric juices and digestive enzymes. All essential to increasing your digestion power.

 

Broth. 

A well made bowl of gelatinous broth will do wonders to your digestive fire. Many components in broth contribute to it's digestive power. Glycosaminoglycans, glucosamine and chondroitin, provide the body what it needs to produce healing mucus that is vital throughout the digestive tract. And glycine and gelatine are also vital in aiding digestion by enhancing gastric secretions.

 

Herbal Teas. 

The carminative effects of a warm cup can not only relax your mood but also the inner workings of your digestive system. Some favourites to try are ginger, licorice, chamomile, peppermint and lemon balm. And the combination of ginger and lemon balm is wonderful after meal. With a good squeeze of lemon juice into a settled mug to stimulate gastric secretions.