15 Ways To Better Digestion

Tummy troubles? Whether it’s IBS or bloating, heartburn or indigestion, there are easy ways to help your gut…

- Tanya Pearey

1 Get moving

Many digestion problems are lifestyle-related – the key one being inactivity. Exercise aids digestion by helping food move through your digestive system, preventing bloating and constipation says GP Dr. Gill Jenkins. ‘A daily walk has been shown to improve bowel motility and reduce constipation, as well as being generally good for most bodily functions.’

2 See your GP

We often struggle on without seeing a doctor despite an estimated 40% of us having at least one digestive symptom at any one time, according to Dr. Anton Emmanuel, the consultant gastroenterologist at London’s University College Hospital. But our GP could have some helpful advice and should always be consulted if you’re experiencing a change in bowel habits such as regular constipation or diarrhea, are bloated for weeks, or have blood in your poo.

3 Eat yogurt

Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, miso, and sauerkraut have undergone controlled microbial growth and fermentation. They often contain higher levels of gut-friendly probiotics and prebiotics, helping to populate the gut microbiota, which is linked to immunity and hormones as well as our digestion.

4 Make your next loaf wholegrain

It has stacks of fiber, meaning it acts as ‘manure’ to help healthy gut bugs grow. Fibre also adds bulk to your poo, making it easier to travel through your bowel.

5 Smell your food