Mason Jones (Reporter)
EVERYONE suffers from the occasional bout of heartburn and indigestion after over-indulging, but for some the problem is much more frequent.
Poor eating habits are the primary cause of such discomfort, with inadequate chewing, eating late in the day and eating on the run all having a negative effect on the production of digestive enzymes.
There are many things you can do to help prevent indigestion and improve your overall digestive health.
Eat plenty of fibre: Fibre is not only key to keeping indigestion at bay, it is essential for your overall health.
A high-fibre diet is an important part of healthy eating in addition to helping digestion; it can also help prevent diabetes, coronary heart disease, hemarroids, colorectal cancer, and other diseases.
Vegetables, fruits, wholegrain cereals and nuts contain plenty of fibre, while you should drink plenty of water and avoid foods that give you wind such as broccoli, baked beans, cabbage, cauliflower, and carbonated drinks.
Chew your food: Chewing is one of the most important parts of digestion, yet it is probably the most neglected. It not only helps break down food, it also signals the salivary glands, stomach and the small intestine to start releasing digestive enzymes.
And try not to overeat as bigger meals mean your stomach must produce more acid to digest the food, leading to heartburn.
Exercise regularly: Exercise can also help with digestion and can actually help reduce many digestive problems.
In one study, scientists found a link between obesity, lack of exercise, stomach pain, diarrhea, and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Stress can also have a negative effect on your digestion.
Don’t overuse antacids: Antacids work by neutralising stomach acids.
However, when overused, they can cause the stomach to lose its function and leaves it vulnerable to bacterial infections.
Digestive enzyme supplements: Digestive enzymes derived from plant sources can help promote good digestion and even enhance nutrient absorption. In cases where men are lacking adequate amounts of digestive enzymes due to poor diet and health, taking enzyme supplements can reduce the symptoms of indigestion and upset stomachs.
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