Find out what the common causes of indigestion are and remedy it!
Indigestion can give a sour taste to even the most sumptuous of meals. It is a problem that severely affects many people. Yet, by following a few simple, common sense rules of eating, it can often be dramatically lessened. Here are 10 tips to help ease indigestion:
(1) Chew your food thoroughly. This will allow it to travel with ease through the oesophagus where acids and enzymes will break it down further.
(2) Try to take in about 2 liters of water each day. This will help to prevent the dense mass of digested food in the colon from becoming dehydrated, therefore making it difficult to move through the body.
(3) Don't eat large meals quickly or late at night. Rather, spread your food intake over five or six smaller meals throughout the day.
(4) Reduce stomach acidity by cutting down on fatty foods and alcohol.
(5) Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Try to reduce your consumption of refined carbohydrates and deep fried foods.
(6) Use herbs and spices in your cooking. Most of the ones used in cooking serve as an aid to digestion, especially the likes of mint, dill, caraway, ginger and cinnamon.
(7) To cut down on flatulence eat plenty of natural yoghurt, drink peppermint and fennel teas and use herbs such as thyme, sage, caraway and fennel seeds. Reduce your intake of pulses like peas and beans as well as brussel sprouts and cabbage.
(8) Try taking a non-alcoholic bitter drink, such as hop beer, about 30 minutes before your meal. This will help to stimulate the digestive juices.
(9) Eat plenty of fiber rich foods such as wholemeal bread, brown rice and vegetables. However, if you feel that you are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome cut out all wheat bran and pulses in favor of fruits and vegetables and fresh natural yoghurt, which contains beneficial bacteria.
(10) If you are suffering from Crohn's Disease you will need extra zinc, calcium, magnesium B vitamins and vitamins C and K. Get these from oily fish, liver, parsley, lentils and watercress.
If none of the above eases your indigestion after two or three days, consult your doctor. He may be able to pin point a specific complaint or allergy which will require a specialised diet.
