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How do I Keep a Healthy Digestive Tract?
There are many ways to maintain a healthy digestive tract, including consuming adequate water and adding more fiber to your diet. A healthy digestive tract can also be achieved by taking a probiotic supplement or eating foods that contain healthy live cultures such as yogurt. Even exercise can play a fundamental role in maintaining a healthy digestive tract.
Avoiding foods high in saturated fat can help you keep a healthy digestive tract. Try to limit your daily intake of red meat, and be sure to trim excess fat from the meat you consume. Rather than frying meat and other foods, use an alternate method of cooking. Broiled and baked meats and fish are easier to digest and will help keep your intestinal system run more efficiently. Foods that are fried may contribute to a sluggish digestive tract, and other distress such as constipation and indigestion.
To help maintain a healthy digestive tract, eat plenty of high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. This may also reduce your chances of developing colon cancer or diverticulitis. If you plan on increasing your daily fiber intake, do so gradually to avoid intestinal discomfort and to allow your body to adjust naturally. Whole-grain cereal is a good choice for breakfast, and when you prepare pancakes, choose whole grain pancake mix.
Staying hydrated by drinking sufficient water and other fluids can maintain a healthy digestive tract and help avoid constipation. Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day. Additionally, avoid alcohol if you are having issues with your digestion. More than a glass or two of alcoholic beverages a day can cause acid reflux and irritation of the stomach lining.
It can be helpful to eat several mini-meals throughout the day, rather than three large meals. More, lighter meals and snacks will be easier to digest than a few heavy meals. Also, allow yourself a few hours after eating a meal before going to sleep. A healthy digestive tract may also be helped by a nightly walk after dinner. A brisk 15 minute walk after the evening meal will help you digest your food and avoid heartburn and indigestion.
If you smoke cigarettes, consider quitting. Not only is cigarette smoking unhealthy for your heart and lungs, it cam also contribute to digestive problems. Some medical experts believe that cigarette smoking can lead to heartburn and acid reflux, as well as gallstones. Smoking may also lead to peptic ulcers in some individuals.
Another thing you can do to keep a healthy digestive tract is to try to minimize the stress in your life. Learning how to manage stress is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself healthy. Try to take a few minutes of each day to relax and unwind, and don't eat when you're upset.
Discussion Comments
@ysmina-- You should also cut down on alcohol, caffeine, oily and processed foods. These are also very bad on the digestive tract. And avoid medications if they are not necessary, especially NSAIDs and antibiotics. Antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract along with bad bacteria in the body and NSAIDs can harm the stomach. Take these only when required.
@ysmina-- There must be some fiber rich foods that you enjoy. If you like fruits, beans and whole grains, try to have more of these to make up for the lack of vegetables in your diet. And I'm sure that there is at least one or two vegetables that you don't mind eating.
You could also use a juicer or blender to make smoothies with fresh vegetables and fruits. If you use more fruits, you won't even taste the vegetables. If this is not an option, then there are fiber supplements on the market as well.
Unfortunately, keeping a healthy digestive tract means staying away from bad foods that often taste good to us. But once you realize the benefits of eating healthy, you will get used to it. Eating fresh, natural foods rich in fiber improve the immune system and give energy in addition to keeping our digestive tract in top condition.
Colon cancer runs in my family. I know that I need to be extra careful but I have a very hard time eating vegetables and other fiber rich foods. I just hate them and have to literally force myself to eat them. I try to have at least one meal with lots of fiber every day. It's a real challenge but I need to do this because I don't want colon cancer.
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