Better Foods To Improve Digestion
Bitter flavors help activate digestion and increase bowel movements. In addition, they promote a healthy weight, prevent certain diseases and improve liver health. Learn why you should add them to your menus.
Bitter foods can be unpleasant for the most demanding palates.
However, these strong flavors are highly nutritious and have a wide variety of plant properties with numerous benefits for the body.
Among others, they promote better intestinal and liver health and help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
Why are bitter foods good for digestion?
Bitter foods are gaining in popularity as recent studies show they support digestive health, relieve stress, and boost the immune system.
Eating these strong foods stimulates gastrin production (more bile and stomach juices) and aids digestion. This promotes liver detoxification and better absorption of nutrients.
Also (thanks to the gut-brain connection), bitter foods can have a positive effect on stress.
– They improve digestion and the intestine. They ease stomach acid and are a digestive aid. This can relieve indigestion, heartburn, nausea, cramps, bloating, and gas.
– Benefits for immunity and inflammation. The anti-inflammatory compounds in these ingredients have antioxidant effects, which protect the body from autoimmune ailments.
– They reduce the craving for sugar. They neutralize the receptors that drive us to consume sweets. In addition, they stimulate the production of PYY and GLP-1, hormones that help control appetite.
– They promote liver health. They help this organ in the elimination of toxins. They coordinate the metabolism of sugar and fats and release hormones that support the gallbladder.
10 examples of bitter foods
- Green Tea. Antioxidant polyphenols are bitter and collaborate with the defenses to eliminate free radicals. Get used to taking it without sugar and you will reduce the cravings for sweets.
- blueberries It is one of the fruits with the highest amount of antioxidants. The Beltsville Nutrition Center (USA)found that its juice improves heart health: it helps reduce inflammation, blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels
- Curcumin (with a bitter and earthy taste) explains a good part of the properties of turmeric. Combine it with pepper and olive oil for greater benefits.
- Some people are hypersensitive to bitterness, but the aroma of broccoli is so mild that there are no excuses. The sulfur compounds that give it flavor are detoxifying.
- Some of the bitterness in cocoa is due to excessive roasting. If you choose quality pure cocoa (organic), the healthy bitterness is associated only with antioxidant compounds.
- It belongs to the cabbage family and has the same isothiocyanates that are beneficial for digestive health and immunity. Abounds in sinigrin, with anti-inflammatory properties.
- The compound that gives it the bitter note is naringin, with antioxidant and anti-allergic qualities. With olive oil and mint, you can rediscover this fruit.
- It is rich in kaempferol, a compound with antidepressant and potentially anticancer virtues, according to a study by the University of California.
- arugula It is rich in isothiocyanate (called ‘erucic’) that helps control blood pressure. Add it to salads and pizzas or as a substitute for basil in pesto sauce.
- It is packed with polyphenols that give it its flavor. The University of Southampton concluded that drinking 3 cups a day can reduce the risk of death, cancer, and heart disease by 17%, 15%, and 18% respectively, compared to not drinking coffee.
As you can see, each bitter food has its own health benefits. Plus, since there are so many to choose from, it’s easy to fit some into your diet.
Pregnant women, children, and people with certain illnesses should avoid eating bitter foods. Before consuming them, it would be advisable to speak with a doctor.
