Fundamentally our well-being is rooted in our stomachs. How well we take care of the digestive system determines how healthy a life we lead. A lethargic gut can result in all sorts of issues like indigestion, bloating, belching, heartburn, constipation etc. it’s high time every one of us have a proper balanced diet to keep the digestive system healthy. In modern times, with the advancement of technology and comfort, the choice over food has never been so easy, but with choice comes responsibility of choosing the right kind of food. In the article we aim at giving you a list of few very important foods that you must have in your diet in order to have a healthy digestive system. Let us have look 17 best healthy foods those good for digestion.
#1 Beetroot
Beetroots are great for the digestive problems like abdominal pains or constipation. Beetroots are highly rich in fibre, potassium and magnesium, which help in waste removal effectively. The pigments and other minerals which are abundantly available in beetroot make it a whole package and hence they are called as Super Food. They help maintain a very healthy digestive system.
#2 Apples
There is no one who does not know the famous quote “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away“. It is in-fact very much true as it is highly healthy and is really good for digestion. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Folate, and Vitamin B complex, Minerals like Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorous. All these compounds offer numerous digestive benefits like free bowel movement, lowering constipation, maintaining the water balance in undigested food etc. The high quantity of Pectin in apples helps raise the good bacteria which help in proper functioning of the digestive system.
#3 Bananas
Banana is just perfect for the proper functioning of bowel movement. If you have diarrhoea, you must have it as it helps in restoring the lost electrolytes and potassium that are generally lost along with excessive and frequent stools. It is also loaded with lots of fibre which is great for digestion and maintaining a healthy gut.
#4 Sweet Potatoes
When consumed with their skin on, sweet potatoes are especially healthy for your digestive system. The skin contains loads of fibre that helps in free bowel movement. The dietary fibre along with complex carbohydrates and essential minerals like manganese, potassium etc. also aid in proper digestion. Sweet potatoes also help in treating peptic ulcers, duodenal ulcers and some other serious bowel ailments.
#5 Avocados
This tiny little fruit is loaded with fibre, and is one of the most fibre rich fruits available. Avocados are easy to digest and contain loads of healthy mono-unsaturated fats that are essential for health. They are also rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, minerals and other compounds that help maintain a healthy digestive tract and proper functioning of pancreas and gallbladder. It also converts beta carotene into vitamin A that helps in secreting a healthy mucosal lining around the inner walls of your Gastro-Intestinal tract.
#6 Oats
Oats are rich in Selenium, thiamine, Phosphorous, Copper, Soluble Fibre, Vitamin E and zinc. Presence of soluble fibre aids in proper digestion and provide a good amount of bulk to the food for proper bowel movement. Loaded with healthy fibres, oats help in preventing risk of Colon Cancer. It helps maintain the colon health as most of the undigested food tends to settle down in one’s colon for unusually long periods of time and oats help clean them up as soon as possible. Having a bowl full of oats everyday is absolutely healthy for your digestive tract.
#7 Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is rich in Vitamin D and Vitamin A. these vitamins play a vital role in keeping the digestive tract healthy and also prevents the development of various digestive issues. It is also great for one’s skin and helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol.
#8 Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in fibre and Vitamin C. the fibre and vitamin C content aids in proper digestion and helps keep the digestive tract clean and healthy. Besides providing various digestive health benefits, blueberries are also rich in Antioxidants. These antioxidants help fight various cancers.
#9 Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Myoinositol. Cantaloupe is also loaded with a great amount of essential digestive enzymes that aid in healthy digestion. It also has powerful antioxidants that help fight against intestinal cancers. It also helps in relieving from anxiety, insomnia and prevents stiffening of the arteries.
#10 Kiwi
People with digestive issues must consume Kiwi on a regular basis as it is rich in Linolenic acid, Actinidin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Potassium and other essential fatty acids. All these compounds help In proper digestion. Kiwi also has pepsin. Pepsin is a very important aspect in human digestive system. It is needed for a proper functioning of digestive system.
#11 Papaya
Papaya is a tropical fruit which is an excellent source of digestive health. The Papain in Papaya helps in easy breakdown of proteins in the stomach and helps in easy absorption of nutrients and facilitates proper bowel movements. Being rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, essential pigments and minerals, Papaya is a complete food in itself. People whose stomachs are upset regularly must have papaya as it has anti-inflammatory properties and help soothe the issues of the stomach. Besides it also helps greatly in digestion of food, dissolves unwanted fats easily and also relieves from GERD(heartburn) and strengthens the immunity.
#12 Peaches
Not only are Peaches tasty, they are very much nourishing. Peaches are loaded with potassium, iron, calcium, Fibre and Vitamin C. these compounds help in proper digestion and healthy functioning of heart and circulatory system.
#13 Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in potassium, magnesium and Vitamin C. Tomatoes provide numerous health benefits. The presence of high amount of fibre, lycopene, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients aids in maintaining a healthy digestive tract.
#14 Carrots
The high amount of fibre in carrots, help a great deal in maintaining a healthy digestive system. They are also rich in Vitamin A, which is essential for a healthy skin and eyes. They are also rich in antioxidants.
#15 Yoghurt
Yoghurt is naturally rich in healthy bacteria which are great for digestion. These healthy bacteria help in the production of more bacteria that are essential for digestion and maintenance of immunity. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals and help in getting rid of most digestive issues like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome etc.
#16 Cucumber
Cucumber is also loaded with high amounts of dietary fibre, fats, folate, calcium and Vitamin C. the high amount of natural water content in them also makes cucumber great for digestion. They are useful in stomach and lung related problems. Consumption of cucumber on a daily basis provides relief from GERD, Heartburn, Acidity, Gastritis, peptic ulcers etc. Erepsin is a protein present in cucumber that aids in proper digestion.
#17 Ginger
Ginger is a perfect home remedy to treat various stomach related issues like vomiting, gas, loss of appetite, diarrhea. Traditionally ginger has been used in varieties of ways. The Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda holds ginger as one of the key ingredients in treating almost every stomach related issues. Dry ginger powder is also consumed along with a teaspoon of honey to enhance the digestive system along with strengthening the immunity.
