8 Foods & Supplements That Improve Digestion
Switching from the Standard American Diet (SAD) to a healthier diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables offers a number of health benefits. These benefits range from improved mood to increased energy to improved digestion.
Despite the increased fiber and water content coming from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, not everyone notices improved digestion. Those who have recently changed their diet or have been consuming a healthy diet for an extended period of time may be discouraged by the continued instances of gas, diarrhea, and or constipation. You might be concerned that these gastrointestinal (GI) issues are signs of poor nutrient absorption, a barren gut microbiome, or food allergy.
don't worry, you?re not alone!
Related: Pocket Guide to Caffeine Benefits and Uses
But before you rush off to the doctor for expensive test and procedures consider the power of food and supplementation. The purpose of this article is to provide you with key foods and supplements that can help improve digestion, minimize GI distress, and regulate your bowel movements.
The popular fat loss supplement Drop Factor contains 250mgs per serving. Order now.[/caption]
No article on digestion and bowel movements would be complete without the discussion of caffeine. Caffeine is an incredible compound; not only is it a performance-enhancing stimulant that increases your metabolism to help burn fat, but it can also help you poop!
90 to 200mg of caffeine increases the secretion of gastric acid, a digestive fluid formed in the stomach. This induces gastric emptying, which moves food from the stomach to the small intestine. [1] In simple terms, a reasonable dose of caffeine can help you poop in the morning as well as before or after a meal. Furthermore, the digestive benefits of caffeine occur rapidly (30 to 60 minutes post oral consumption) and do not decrease in effectiveness after continued, prolonged use. [2]
If you?re struggling to get the bowels moving, go ahead and enjoy that cup of coffee in the morning or pre-workout in the early evening! Tiger Fitness offers a wide variety of supplements with caffeine.
Machine Uptake is the ultimate probiotic digestive enzyme. Order now.[/caption]
If you?re looking for something less harsh than caffeine, probiotics and digestive enzymes can help to improve your gut microbiome and maximize nutrient absorption. Probiotics are the ?good? living bacteria commonly found in foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha tea. Consuming these beneficial bacteria can effectively treat diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome as well as increase the recovery speed from some intestinal infections. [2]
Nearly all users of probiotics experience no side effects and may begin noticing benefits within a week of consistent consumption. Probiotics are typically counted and sold by the number of colony forming units (CFUs) they contain at the time of processing, bottling, or manufacturing.
Keep in mind that although a product may have millions or billions of CFUs of a probiotic strain at the time of production, these CFUs can dramatically vary by the time you purchase the bottle. The number of CFUs can decrease over time especially when exposed to oxygen, moisture, or heat. To preserve potency keep probiotic supplements refrigerated in a cool, dry place.
Common probiotic strains include:
Consuming a digestive enzyme with lactase can minimize or eliminate the undesired GI side effects that may occur as a result of consuming dairy. Those with a gluten allergy may find the consumption of papain to improve nutrient absorption from grains and decrease the instances of diarrhea. [3]
If you know exactly which foods give you issues then you can take the corresponding digestive enzyme; but digestive enzyme blends are an inexpensive way to insure yourself when consuming a spectrum of foods.
Common digestive enzymes include:
Use psyllium husk to supplement your dietary fiber intake coming from whole foods; just 5 to 10 grams per day can noticeably improve digestion. Be sure to drink plenty of water alongside psyllium husk as it absorbs water rapidly and can cause choking if not ingested properly.
Researchers found that oral ingestion of 30 grams of psyllium husk per day decreased the frequency and intensity of flatulence episodes compared to consuming fiber from other whole foods sources. [5] Supplementing with psyllium means you will not only be farting less, but also less likely to clear the room with the infamously deadly protein farts.
Popular psyllium husk products include Optimum Nutrition Fitness Fiber, Muscleology Myofiber, and Species Nutrition Fiberlyze.
Peppermint, a cross between water mint and spearmint, is offered in capsule, liquid, and tea bag form. Oral consumption of 450 to 750mg, or 0.1-0.2mL of peppermint oil, spread over 2 to 3 doses during the day, can drastically reduce intestinal pain and discomfort. [6]
As with most supplements, more isn't always better ? it's possible to overdose on peppermint oil and high doses can cause side effects such as heartburn as well as burning and discomfort in and around the anus. [7] To decrease instances of heartburn, manufacturers put an enteric coating around the peppermint oil to prevent it from breaking down in the stomach and to ensure it's absorbed in the intestinal tract. [8]
Capsules also provide a worry-free, exact dosing, whereas peppermint oil requires the precision of a dropper. Unfortunately peppermint oil is not a cure-all; extended use can decrease gas, bloating, cramping, and GI discomfort, but symptoms typically reappear in full strength two weeks after discontinued use. [6]
Active people with high stress levels may have slow digestion due to clenched digestive muscles. The relaxant properties in chamomile may be exactly what you need to get your digestive tract back on-track. Those allergic to related plants in the daisy family should not consume chamomile as it may cause an allergic reaction with skin rashes, throat swelling, shortness of breath, and possible anaphylaxis. [11]
Chamomile is offered in capsule, tea bag, liquid, and tablet forms. Products such as Formutech Nutrition Restore include chamomile as an active ingredient.
Oral consumption of 100-200mg aloe or 50mg aloe latex in the evening can reduce or eliminate constipation. [12] Exceeding the recommended dosages may cause diarrhea and loose stools, so make sure you?re following the dosing protocol on the supplement bottle or as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Another study found that aloe vera did not relieve abdominal pain, but when combined with celandine and psyllium, can increase bowel movement frequency, soften stools, and decrease dependence on laxatives in men and women with chronic constipation. [13] You can find aloe vera meant for oral consumption in both gel cap and liquid forms.
Two key natural chemicals found in ginger, gingerol and shogaol, are found in many laxatives, anti-gas, and antacid medications as they?re believed to stimulate digestive juices and relax the intestinal muscles. [15] The most commonly recommended dosage for digestive health is 1 to 3 grams of raw ginger root per day. [16]
If you?re looking for an alternative to raw ginger root then you can also consume ginger ale, ginger tea, crystallized ginger, or ginger syrup to obtain the recommended dosage.
Increased liver bile flow translates to the increased ability for your body to break down and digest fats. 320 to 640mg of artichoke leaf extract taken daily can decrease instances of indigestion by 40%. [18]
Supplements with artichoke leaf include Top Secret Nutrition Vita-T, Futurebiotics Detox, Top Secret Nutrition Super Greens & Reds, and Champion Nutrition Liver Cleanse.
2) "Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Important for Health? - Mayo Clinic." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
3) Roxas, Mario. "The Role of Enzyme Supplementation in Digestive Disorders." Alternative Medicine Review. N.p., 2015.
4) "Psyllium." MedlinePlus Drug Information. National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health, 2015.
5) "Psyllium - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com." Independent Analysis on Supplements & Nutrition | Examine.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
6) "Peppermint - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com." Independent Analysis on Supplements & Nutrition | Examine.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
7) "Peppermint Oil in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. - PubMed - NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
8) "Peppermint Oil." NCCIH. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
9) "Chamomile: Herbal Information From WebMD." WebMD. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
10) Srivastava, Janmejai K, Eswar Shankar, and Sanjay Gupta. ?Chamomile: A Herbal Medicine of the Past with Bright Future.? Molecular medicine reports 3.6 (2010): 895?901. PMC.
11) "Chamomile." NCCIH. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
12) "Aloe: MedlinePlus Supplements." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
13) "A Double-blind Trial of a Celandin, Aloevera and Psyllium Laxative Preparation in Adult Patients with Constipation. - PubMed - NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
14) "Ginger: MedlinePlus Supplements." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
15) "Laxative Dos and Don'ts." Whole Health Insider. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
16) "Ginger - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com." Independent Analysis on Supplements & Nutrition | Examine.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
17) "Choleretic Activity and Biliary Elimination of Lipids and Bile Acids Induced by an Artichoke Leaf Extract in Rats. - PubMed - NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
18) "Artichoke Leaf Extract Reduces Mild Dyspepsia in an Open Study. - PubMed - NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
Despite the increased fiber and water content coming from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, not everyone notices improved digestion. Those who have recently changed their diet or have been consuming a healthy diet for an extended period of time may be discouraged by the continued instances of gas, diarrhea, and or constipation. You might be concerned that these gastrointestinal (GI) issues are signs of poor nutrient absorption, a barren gut microbiome, or food allergy.
don't worry, you?re not alone!
Related: Pocket Guide to Caffeine Benefits and Uses
But before you rush off to the doctor for expensive test and procedures consider the power of food and supplementation. The purpose of this article is to provide you with key foods and supplements that can help improve digestion, minimize GI distress, and regulate your bowel movements.
How to Improve Digestion
#1 - Caffeine
[caption id="attachment_13727" align="alignright" width="190"]
The popular fat loss supplement Drop Factor contains 250mgs per serving. Order now.[/caption]No article on digestion and bowel movements would be complete without the discussion of caffeine. Caffeine is an incredible compound; not only is it a performance-enhancing stimulant that increases your metabolism to help burn fat, but it can also help you poop!
90 to 200mg of caffeine increases the secretion of gastric acid, a digestive fluid formed in the stomach. This induces gastric emptying, which moves food from the stomach to the small intestine. [1] In simple terms, a reasonable dose of caffeine can help you poop in the morning as well as before or after a meal. Furthermore, the digestive benefits of caffeine occur rapidly (30 to 60 minutes post oral consumption) and do not decrease in effectiveness after continued, prolonged use. [2]
If you?re struggling to get the bowels moving, go ahead and enjoy that cup of coffee in the morning or pre-workout in the early evening! Tiger Fitness offers a wide variety of supplements with caffeine.
#2 - Probiotics & Digestive Enzymes
[caption id="attachment_15793" align="alignright" width="180"]
Machine Uptake is the ultimate probiotic digestive enzyme. Order now.[/caption]If you?re looking for something less harsh than caffeine, probiotics and digestive enzymes can help to improve your gut microbiome and maximize nutrient absorption. Probiotics are the ?good? living bacteria commonly found in foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha tea. Consuming these beneficial bacteria can effectively treat diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome as well as increase the recovery speed from some intestinal infections. [2]
Nearly all users of probiotics experience no side effects and may begin noticing benefits within a week of consistent consumption. Probiotics are typically counted and sold by the number of colony forming units (CFUs) they contain at the time of processing, bottling, or manufacturing.
Keep in mind that although a product may have millions or billions of CFUs of a probiotic strain at the time of production, these CFUs can dramatically vary by the time you purchase the bottle. The number of CFUs can decrease over time especially when exposed to oxygen, moisture, or heat. To preserve potency keep probiotic supplements refrigerated in a cool, dry place.
Common probiotic strains include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus salivarius
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus paracasei
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Strepto. thermophilus
Consuming a digestive enzyme with lactase can minimize or eliminate the undesired GI side effects that may occur as a result of consuming dairy. Those with a gluten allergy may find the consumption of papain to improve nutrient absorption from grains and decrease the instances of diarrhea. [3]
If you know exactly which foods give you issues then you can take the corresponding digestive enzyme; but digestive enzyme blends are an inexpensive way to insure yourself when consuming a spectrum of foods.
Common digestive enzymes include:
- Amylase
- Protease
- Lipase
- Bromelain
- Lactase
- Papain
- Cellulase
- Pepsin
Consuming a digestive enzyme with lactase can minimize or eliminate the undesired GI side effects that may occur as a result of consuming dairy.
#3 - Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk in powder, granule, or capsule form is an effective supplement for improving the regularity and consistency of your bowel movements. Psyllium husk is a bulk-forming laxative, high in soluble fiber, which absorbs liquid in the intestines, swells in size, and creates a bulky stool which is easily excreted during a bowel movement. [4]Use psyllium husk to supplement your dietary fiber intake coming from whole foods; just 5 to 10 grams per day can noticeably improve digestion. Be sure to drink plenty of water alongside psyllium husk as it absorbs water rapidly and can cause choking if not ingested properly.
Researchers found that oral ingestion of 30 grams of psyllium husk per day decreased the frequency and intensity of flatulence episodes compared to consuming fiber from other whole foods sources. [5] Supplementing with psyllium means you will not only be farting less, but also less likely to clear the room with the infamously deadly protein farts.
Popular psyllium husk products include Optimum Nutrition Fitness Fiber, Muscleology Myofiber, and Species Nutrition Fiberlyze.
#4 - Peppermint Oil
If you frequently experience abdominal pain and cramping, common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other serious GI issues, peppermint oil may be just what you need.Peppermint, a cross between water mint and spearmint, is offered in capsule, liquid, and tea bag form. Oral consumption of 450 to 750mg, or 0.1-0.2mL of peppermint oil, spread over 2 to 3 doses during the day, can drastically reduce intestinal pain and discomfort. [6]
As with most supplements, more isn't always better ? it's possible to overdose on peppermint oil and high doses can cause side effects such as heartburn as well as burning and discomfort in and around the anus. [7] To decrease instances of heartburn, manufacturers put an enteric coating around the peppermint oil to prevent it from breaking down in the stomach and to ensure it's absorbed in the intestinal tract. [8]
Capsules also provide a worry-free, exact dosing, whereas peppermint oil requires the precision of a dropper. Unfortunately peppermint oil is not a cure-all; extended use can decrease gas, bloating, cramping, and GI discomfort, but symptoms typically reappear in full strength two weeks after discontinued use. [6]
Ginger, a popular herb used for cooking and in tea can also aid your digestion.
#5 - Chamomile
Chamomile, a daisy-like plant popular in herbal teas, can help to ease upset stomachs, gas, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. [9] Chamomile has been used for centuries as a digestive relaxant, which means it relaxes the muscles that move food through the intestine. [10]Active people with high stress levels may have slow digestion due to clenched digestive muscles. The relaxant properties in chamomile may be exactly what you need to get your digestive tract back on-track. Those allergic to related plants in the daisy family should not consume chamomile as it may cause an allergic reaction with skin rashes, throat swelling, shortness of breath, and possible anaphylaxis. [11]
Chamomile is offered in capsule, tea bag, liquid, and tablet forms. Products such as Formutech Nutrition Restore include chamomile as an active ingredient.
#6 - Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, the plant commonly used to treat sunburns, offers a number of digestive benefits.Oral consumption of 100-200mg aloe or 50mg aloe latex in the evening can reduce or eliminate constipation. [12] Exceeding the recommended dosages may cause diarrhea and loose stools, so make sure you?re following the dosing protocol on the supplement bottle or as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Another study found that aloe vera did not relieve abdominal pain, but when combined with celandine and psyllium, can increase bowel movement frequency, soften stools, and decrease dependence on laxatives in men and women with chronic constipation. [13] You can find aloe vera meant for oral consumption in both gel cap and liquid forms.
Aloe vera, the plant commonly used to treat sunburns, offers a number of digestive benefits.
#7 - Ginger
Ginger, a popular herb used for cooking and in tea can also aid your digestion. Ginger is offered in multiple forms (fresh, dried, powdered, in juice, and in oil) and has been used for thousands of years to treat stomach problems such as upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. [14]Two key natural chemicals found in ginger, gingerol and shogaol, are found in many laxatives, anti-gas, and antacid medications as they?re believed to stimulate digestive juices and relax the intestinal muscles. [15] The most commonly recommended dosage for digestive health is 1 to 3 grams of raw ginger root per day. [16]
If you?re looking for an alternative to raw ginger root then you can also consume ginger ale, ginger tea, crystallized ginger, or ginger syrup to obtain the recommended dosage.
#8 - Artichoke Leaf
Artichoke leaf is a species of milk thistle offered in dried herb, liquid extract, and pressed juice forms. Up to 400mg/kg of bodyweight of artichoke leaf consumed orally can significantly increase liver bile acid flow and concentration with no side effects. [17]Increased liver bile flow translates to the increased ability for your body to break down and digest fats. 320 to 640mg of artichoke leaf extract taken daily can decrease instances of indigestion by 40%. [18]
Supplements with artichoke leaf include Top Secret Nutrition Vita-T, Futurebiotics Detox, Top Secret Nutrition Super Greens & Reds, and Champion Nutrition Liver Cleanse.
References
1) "Peppermint - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com." Independent Analysis on Supplements & Nutrition | Examine.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.2) "Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Important for Health? - Mayo Clinic." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
3) Roxas, Mario. "The Role of Enzyme Supplementation in Digestive Disorders." Alternative Medicine Review. N.p., 2015.
4) "Psyllium." MedlinePlus Drug Information. National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health, 2015.
5) "Psyllium - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com." Independent Analysis on Supplements & Nutrition | Examine.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
6) "Peppermint - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com." Independent Analysis on Supplements & Nutrition | Examine.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
7) "Peppermint Oil in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. - PubMed - NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
8) "Peppermint Oil." NCCIH. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
9) "Chamomile: Herbal Information From WebMD." WebMD. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
10) Srivastava, Janmejai K, Eswar Shankar, and Sanjay Gupta. ?Chamomile: A Herbal Medicine of the Past with Bright Future.? Molecular medicine reports 3.6 (2010): 895?901. PMC.
11) "Chamomile." NCCIH. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
12) "Aloe: MedlinePlus Supplements." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
13) "A Double-blind Trial of a Celandin, Aloevera and Psyllium Laxative Preparation in Adult Patients with Constipation. - PubMed - NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
14) "Ginger: MedlinePlus Supplements." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
15) "Laxative Dos and Don'ts." Whole Health Insider. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
16) "Ginger - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com." Independent Analysis on Supplements & Nutrition | Examine.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
17) "Choleretic Activity and Biliary Elimination of Lipids and Bile Acids Induced by an Artichoke Leaf Extract in Rats. - PubMed - NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
18) "Artichoke Leaf Extract Reduces Mild Dyspepsia in an Open Study. - PubMed - NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 July 2015.
Leave a comment