Modern diets give the digestive system a hard time. The processes they employ evolved to tackle unprocessed meats and plants but, though becoming more available, in contemporary Britain, these can be difficult to find.
What does my diet do to my body?
Diets are often incredibly varied across even small communities, but only 28.6% of the average UK diet is made up of unprocessed foods. Processed food doesn’t always mean junk food (bread, for example, counts as processed), but the more processes applied to your food, the less healthy they are.
This is partly because they increase levels of free radicals in your body, which are dangerous, volatile molecules that damage cells and increase the risk of cancer. The typical UK diet is also high in salts, oils and sugars, which can directly damage the heart, as well as increasing free radicals in the body. Free radicals can wreak havoc on your digestive system, and the lack of fibre in most processed food can lead to your digestive tract having more free radical exposure for longer periods of time. This can result in bloating, cramps, constipation and diarrhoea.
What can I do about it?
One of the more obvious things to do is to improve your diet. Increase the levels of fresh fruit and vegetables that you eat daily. Too much fruit can cause diarrhoea through a Vitamin C overload, but fruits like papaya, pineapple and kiwi contain enzymes that benefit the way your body digests and deals with proteins. As a general rule, the more colourful your plate is, the more likely it is to contain vitamins and antioxidants, which help to counter the activity of free-radicals. Red meats should be avoided as much as possible if you want to improve your digestive system, as they are full of proteins that sit in your stomach and take ages to break down.
There are many supplements that can support your digestive system, but many are extremely processed themselves, which can affect the degree to which they are absorbed and utilised by your body. When choosing supplements, aim for a non-artificial product with a high antioxidant value to fight off free radicals. Oregano oil has recently caught the eye of digestive experts for its high antioxidant content and gastrointestinal support. It is important to choose supplements from an expert seller with SSL authenticity, as the UK does not require supplements to undergo the same testing as medicines. Oregano oil is relatively new on the digestive-supplement scene, but reputable sellers do exist, such as healthmonthly.co.uk. Peppermint oil is another great digestive support.
Probiotics have become increasingly popular and can be found in raw fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir. These increase good intestinal bacteria that aid digestion and reduce inflammation. Again, probiotics are not properly regulated in the UK (important as the levels of bacteria are crucial), so reputable suppliers are encouraged. Specialised sellers are preferable as they are more likely to honour traditional fermentation processes, which lead to vegetables that are packed full of vitamins and teeming with good bacteria.
Having a good digestive system is a blessing in the UK, where 40% of people experience a gastrointestinal issue at any given moment. Given how easy some of these steps are, this high prevalence should be surprising. Hopefully, you can use these tips to avoid being a contribution to a worrying statistic.