Suffering from occasionally sluggish digestion? Consider these four useful (and often overlooked) tips to help get your gut back on track.
- Chew your food. Chewing is the very first step in the long process of digestion, so kick things off the right way by being conscious about how you’re chewing your food. Slow down, take smaller bites and savor every morsel as you chew. The added benefit of this habit is that you just may find yourself eating less!
- Drink up. Keep things flowing smoothly throughout your body by drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day. Besides facilitating healthy digestion, proper hydration can also benefit nutrient absorption, skin health and more.
- Work out. Exercise is essential for healthy digestion. Not only does it stimulate the circulation of oxygen throughout the body, it can also encourage your intestinal muscles to contract, supporting efficient digestion. Even low-impact exercise such as yoga can be beneficial for the digestive process.
- Avoid allergens. Food allergies and sensitivities are a major cause of digestive malfunction. Keep track of what you’re eating and how your body reacts so you can avoid these foods. Common triggers include milk/dairy and grains.