360 Health Clinic

Your digestive system is nothing short of a hero. It works non-stop to provide the essential fuel your body needs to function, while at the same time it removes all of the waste that is not needed. To neglect your digestive system means that you risk a whole lot of adverse effects that can influence your life. 

Diet and lifestyle choices impact digestive health in big ways. Sometimes even small changes can have a significant impact on your digestive health. Here is how you can improve it: 

• Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet – the thing about fruits and vegetables is their very high fibre content, which supports the digestive system. They are also very rich in antioxidants and even have cancer-fighting properties that make them a staple in every healthy diet. 
  
  
• Also, choose whole grains and nuts – grains are an important component of many of the processed foods that you eat, like pastries, crackers and white bread. However, they lose a great deal of iron, antioxidants and other essential nutrients that are important for good health. With whole grains that is not the case, which is exactly why you need to include them in your diet for better gut health. 
  
  
• Reduce processed and red meat – when it comes to processed meat, the case is that such food contains a very high concentration of sodium, nitrates and fats. All of these foods have been linked to colon cancer and a lot of digestive issues. 
  
  
• Limit added sugar – one of the things that can upset the balance of good bacteria and lead to inflammation is too much sugar. Added sugar is in a ton of products, but it is more notable in baked goods, desserts, and ice cream. Added sugar is also used for processed foods, even where you wouldn’t normally expect it – salad dressings, soups, pasta sauces, etc. If you need to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours, you are better to opt for fruits. 
  
  
• Learn to cook healthier – when it comes to healthy eating, it is not only important what you choose to eat, but how you prepare it. Grilled and fried foods can be tasty, but there is a major downside to them – they have unhealthy fats that can ruin your diet. There are many more different methods for cooking that you can pick up – poaching, stewing, steaming, boiling, etc. 
  
  
• Drink plenty of water – dehydration is one of the main causes of constipation. Drinking plenty of water not only keeps your body systems working healthily but also prevents various conditions. Depending on a variety of factors, such as your weight, overall health and activity level, you need to figure out the best amount for you. Normally, that is between 4-6 cups a day is more than enough. 
  
  
• Regular exercise is key – if you are physically active and you exercise a good deal, food will move through your body with more ease. Besides, physical exercise also reduces the risk of bloating, constipation, nausea and IBS. Sometimes even taking a simple walk can be enough. 
  
  
• Keep a healthy weight – if you follow all of the aforementioned tips, you should be able to maintain a healthy weight. It will significantly reduce the chance of developing gallstones, digestive cancers, GERD and a lot more troublesome conditions. A healthy diet and regular exercise are the pillars of healthy weight maintenance. 

Digestive problems are common and can be quite bothersome. But many of them can be improved if you adopt the aforementioned lifestyle changes. 

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