If you cannot do without your coffee or tea, limit your intake to 1 or 2 cups a day. Probiotics are so-called "friendly bacteria" that are also found naturally in the gut. There's some evidence that they may be helpful for some conditions, including helping irritable bowel syndrome.

But there's little evidence to support some other health claims made about them. Probiotics are available as supplements from health food shops, or in live yoghurt, which is a good natural source.

If you want to try them, it's best to take them every day for at least 4 weeks to see if they work for you. If you have an existing health condition or a weakened immune system, talk to a doctor before taking any probiotic supplements. Page last reviewed: 5 January Next review due: 5 January Home Live Well Eat well Digestive health Back to Digestive health.

Good foods to help your digestion. Fill up on fibre to prevent constipation It's a good idea to try to eat more fibre or roughage, as most people in the UK do not get enough. Aim for the recommended dietary intake of 30g of fibre a day.

For a healthy bowel, you need fibre from a variety of sources, such as: wholemeal bread brown rice fruit and veg beans oats Some people find cereals and grains bring on bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.

Drink plenty of fluids to aid digestion It's important to keep drinking, especially water. Read about water, drinks and your health Cut down on fat for a healthy gut Fatty foods, such as chips, burgers and fried foods, are harder to digest and can cause stomach pain and heartburn. Cut back on greasy fried foods to ease your stomach's workload.

Go easy on spice to avoid tummy troubles Many people love spicy food and it does not bother their digestive system. Doctors often link poor digestion to several factors, such as gastrointestinal conditions or stress. Occasional digestive problems are common, and possible causes may range from digestive disorders to specific foods.

Symptoms, such as abdominal cramps or bowel changes, usually pass over time, but some simple home remedies may ease discomfort. This article discusses possible causes of poor digestion, ways to improve digestion, how to clean the stomach, and when to consult medical attention.

Diseases that affect the gastrointestinal or digestive tract may cause poor digestion. A few common symptoms of digestive diseases include:. IBS is a common digestive disorder. People with IBS experience changes in bowel movements in response to stressors.

These stressors may include difficult experiences in early life, mental health concerns, or bacterial infections. Read on for the differences between the two.

Ulcerative colitis UC occurs as a result of abnormal reactions of the immune system. This condition causes inflammation and ulcers on the lining of the large intestine. Approximately ,—, people in the United States have UC. Learn more about common digestive issues. Individuals experiencing symptoms of poor digestion should consult a medical professional to find out what may be causing it.

Individuals who experience severe or ongoing digestive problems should consult a doctor. However, for mild digestion concerns, several home remedies may ease the issues.

Many people experience stomach discomfort before an exam or a big event, but sustained stress can affect the connection between the brain and the gut, causing ongoing problems. There is a link between physical and mental health , and reducing stress can have a positive impact on both. The American Psychological Association recommends three key ways to manage stress:.

It can be tempting to rush meals on a busy day, but this can cause indigestion and stomach discomfort. Take time to relax, particularly before and after eating. Mint tea is a home remedy for nausea and indigestion. To make a simple mint tea:. Researchers have found that peppermint oil from the leaves may relieve symptoms of IBS — including stomach pain — in the short term.

However, more research is needed to fully understand the science behind this. Gentle exercise can help support healthy digestion.

Being upright and active allows gravity to help move food through the digestive system. For example, a slow walk around the block may ease bloating and reduce feelings of fullness. Physical activity increases blood flow to the muscles in the digestive system, which helps move the food along the digestive tract.

Gas can come from swallowing air when eating or drinking. The body also produces gas when digesting food. Trapped gas in the gut can cause bloating and stomach discomfort. Having a certain amount of gas is healthful, but some activities cause a person to swallow more air than usual, which can increase the amount of gas in the body.

Examples of these activities include:. Certain foods create more gas when they go through the digestive system. These include:. Gently rubbing the belly can help gas move through the body, which can help reduce stomach discomfort and bloating.

Microorganisms such as bacteria have partially or wholly broken down fermented foods. These microorganisms work to preserve food, and they may also benefit gut health. Bacteria occur naturally in the gut.

The collection of these microorganisms live in delicate balance in the gut microbiome, which is why what you feed your microbiome can make a difference. Eating foods like yogurt that contain probiotics — certain microorganisms that reportedly play a role in digestion, support immune system, and manage inflammation.

A study published in August in Nutrients found that yogurt with a specific probiotic strain helped protect the gut microbiome from changes due to taking antibiotics that lead to diarrhea.

Moses, MD , a professor in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington. Moses says that some supplements contain better strains of probiotics, but he adds a disclaimer. Like any nonscientific therapeutic, probiotics are encouraged when they are part of a program that patients find clearly helpful for symptoms.

Such a program may include prebiotic fiber and other proven recommendations. A review published in June in Microrganisms found evidence lacking that probiotic supplementation improved digestive health in the elderly, though some small studies did find that probiotic supplementation improved chronic constipation.

Fish oil can benefit not only your heart, but your digestive tract as well because the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil tamp down inflammation.

To start, you can try to move toward a Mediterranean diet and add fatty fish like salmon, halibut, and mackerel to your diet. What doctors and researchers know now is that people with irritable bowel syndrome IBS , one of the most common reasons for visiting a gastroenterologist, may not be consuming enough of the omega-3 fatty acids from fish.

In a small study published in the journal Medicine , researchers looked at the level of fatty acids in 30 Asian women with IBS versus 39 Asian women without the disorder. They found that women with IBS not only had higher levels of depression, but they also had higher levels of unhealthy saturated fats in their blood, and lower levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

While a study published in December in Gut Microbes found that six weeks of taking omega-3 supplements induced small changes in the composition of the gut microbiome, supporting the theory that omega-3 fatty acids could have a prebiotic effect on the gut, but more research is needed to understand its role and mechanism in the gut.

Tumeric, a spice loaded with curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties shown to help in a range of conditions triggered by inflammation, including heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease IBD , and even depression, according to a paper published in November in Drug Design, Development and Therapy.

The research also noted that curcumin helps regulate the gut microbiota, bring relief to people with IBD, and reduce inflammation that could likely lead to colon cancer. A traditional Asian remedy for tummy aches and nausea and a favorite condiment used in Japanese cuisine, ginger is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, making it another good food for digestion and a natural digestive aid.

A January review published in the journal Nutrients noted that several studies found ginger was associated with improved digestive functioning. It also pointed to studies that found ginger reduced nausea, motion sickness, and the risk of colon cancer.

Soothing, aromatic peppermint may help ease indigestion as well as some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome , making it a go-to natural treatment for gastroenterologists.

Peppermint oil can be included in many recipes or even tea , but more often is taken as a coated supplement, which allows it to pass into the digestive tract without causing heartburn , according to the National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health.

Digestion tip: Taking peppermint oil in small intestinal release form for at least four weeks has been shown to significantly reduce IBS symptoms. It appears to work as an antispasmodic, smoothing out and relaxing the bowels, according to a study published in in Gastroenterology.

Fluids play an essential role in partnership with fiber to get solids through your system since water helps your body break down and digest food, according to Mayo Clinic.

In fact, one of the easiest digestive tips to follow is to stay hydrated throughout the day. Water is a great choice to speed digestion, but almost any non-alcoholic fluid will do.

While we cannot use one specific measure for our gut health External Link , some signs that you may have poor gut health include:. You may be able to improve your gut health through lifestyle and diet changes.

Dietary fibre in foods can improve your gut health as it can help keep us regular, reduce the risk of bowel cancer and feed the healthy bacteria in our gut. Wholefoods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, wholegrains and nuts, may prevent the growth of some bacteria linked to diseases and inflammation.

Our lifestyle, for example physical activity , good sleep and stress reduction are also good for gut health. Your gut bacteria are influenced by what you eat. It is important to give them the right fuel to have a balanced gut microbiome.

The best way to maintain a healthy microbiome is to eat a range of fresh, wholefoods, mainly from plant sources like fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, nuts and wholegrains.

Fibre is important for our gut health for many reasons. Fibre can affect the function of our gut, for example, the digestion and absorption of nutrients, how quickly or slowly things move through and the quality of our stools.

The breakdown of fibre by our gut bacteria can also create important products which can influence the development of gastrointestinal conditions such as bowel cancer.

Fibre has other benefits to our health apart from the gut, for example, reducing our risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Fibre is only found in foods that come from a plant.

Australian adult women should be aiming to eat at least 25g of fibre a day, and men 30g. Prebiotic fibres, which are not found in all high fibre foods, may be especially helpful for our gut microbiome, as they can act as a fertiliser for the healthy bacteria in our gut.

The diversity of food on your plate can help lead to a more diverse microbiome, which is an indicator of a healthy gut microbiome. While almost all foods have had some kind of processing , it is best to eat foods that are minimally processed. These foods retain their nutritional value and do not usually have added sugar , salt , unhealthy fats or additives such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners, all of which may impact your gut health.

Unprocessed foods include fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, unflavoured dairy , eggs, seafood, poultry and lean red meat. Ultra-processed foods include deli meats such as ham and salami, many breakfast cereals, ready-made meals, sweet desserts and many packaged snacks such as chips.

Water is the best fluid to drink and provides benefits to gut health. Water assists with the breakdown of food, so that your body can absorb nutrients. Water also assists with softening stools, helping prevent constipation. Chewing your food thoroughly and eating slowly may reduce digestive discomfort such as gas, pain and bloating.

Fermented foods External Link have undergone a process in which their sugars are broken down by yeast and bacteria. While research into fermented foods is limited, the bacteria found in some fermented foods have been linked with digestive health and other benefits.

Breastfeeding helps an infant develop a healthy gut microbiome, which may help protect against certain health conditions later in life. Regular cardiovascular exercise such as walking and cycling can stimulate the muscles of the gut to move digestive contents through the body.

Stress can impact your gut health. Manage your stress levels by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, socialising, using relaxation techniques and eating well. Not getting enough or sufficient quality of sleep may impact your gut microbiome and may contribute to digestive discomfort.

It is best to improve your gut health through food and other lifestyle factors rather than supplements. There are many nutrients in wholefoods that cannot be packaged into a single supplement.

Nutrients in foods also interact with each other in a helpful way and this cannot be replicated in a pill. Many people are interested in taking probiotic supplements.

In some cases, there is research to support taking a probiotic, however just like medications, you need to take a specific probiotic for the health condition you are trying to manage. While antibiotics can be very important and useful, they can also have a negative impact on your gut microbiome.

Antibiotics aim to kill the harmful bacteria when you have an infection or illness, but in doing so they can remove some of the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Research into gut health is relatively new and understanding of this complex topic is developing. The most common symptoms of diverticulitis are abdominal pain and tenderness, pressure in the lower abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea.

Inflammatory bowel disease IBD. IBD occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the intestines and triggers inflammation of the tissues.

These areas can thicken or wear away in spots, which creates ulcers, cracks, and fissures. Inflammation can allow an abscess a pocket of pus to develop. With UC, inflammation in the lining of the large intestine the colon causes ulcers.

This can cause bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. Other symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and where it occurs in the large intestine. They include:. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS.

IBS is characterized by recurrent bouts of constipation or diarrhea or both , abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. The severity and duration of symptoms vary. Some are mild and come and go, while others are severe and last several weeks. Some people can go months or years between episodes.

Most people are never cured of IBS, but dietary changes, medication, and stress management can help manage the condition. Gallstones are hardened bits of bile that form inside the gallbladder, a pear-shaped pouch that sits just below the liver. Bile makes it easier for the body to digest fat.

Small stones can pass out of the body through the intestines. However, gallstones can cause symptoms if they get caught in the narrow outlet of the gallbladder or in the ducts that drain the gallbladder. Symptoms include abdominal pain, usually high in the abdomen and often in the center or on the right side where the gallbladder is located , and can spread to the area of the right shoulder blade.

When symptoms recur or the gallbladder becomes inflamed, the gallbladder needs to be surgically removed. Thanks for visiting.

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Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? Other fermented fare you may want to try are kefir made from fermented milk , kimchi Korean pickled cabbage , and miso a Japanese paste made of fermented soybeans. Word to the wise though: Go easy on fermented foods at first.

Too much too fast can lead to a bout of cramping and diarrhea. Beans, such as navy, kidney, and black beans, are an easy way to hit that daily target. Navy beans have a whopping 19 g of fiber per cup, according to the U.

Department of Agriculture. Good news for those worried about having too much gas from high-fiber foods: Research published in Nutrition Journal showed that people had less gas than they thought they would when upping black-eyed peas consumption. Only half of participants reported any increase in gas at first and, by the end of the first week, that number had dropped to just 19 percent, making eating black-eyed peas a digestive tip you can live with.

The study also looked at tolerance for baked beans and pinto beans and found that tolerance for all of these increased over time. The fuzzy fruit packed with vitamin C is making waves in the gastrointestinal community since a study published in June in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that people who ate two kiwis a day were relieved of their constipation better than patients who consumed prunes or psyllium.

The group assigned kiwis also had fewer negative side-effects and enjoyed their high-fiber food most. Our digestive tract is full of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. The collection of these microorganisms live in delicate balance in the gut microbiome, which is why what you feed your microbiome can make a difference.

Eating foods like yogurt that contain probiotics — certain microorganisms that reportedly play a role in digestion, support immune system, and manage inflammation. A study published in August in Nutrients found that yogurt with a specific probiotic strain helped protect the gut microbiome from changes due to taking antibiotics that lead to diarrhea.

Moses, MD , a professor in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington.

Moses says that some supplements contain better strains of probiotics, but he adds a disclaimer. Like any nonscientific therapeutic, probiotics are encouraged when they are part of a program that patients find clearly helpful for symptoms.

Such a program may include prebiotic fiber and other proven recommendations. A review published in June in Microrganisms found evidence lacking that probiotic supplementation improved digestive health in the elderly, though some small studies did find that probiotic supplementation improved chronic constipation.

Fish oil can benefit not only your heart, but your digestive tract as well because the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil tamp down inflammation. To start, you can try to move toward a Mediterranean diet and add fatty fish like salmon, halibut, and mackerel to your diet.

What doctors and researchers know now is that people with irritable bowel syndrome IBS , one of the most common reasons for visiting a gastroenterologist, may not be consuming enough of the omega-3 fatty acids from fish.

In a small study published in the journal Medicine , researchers looked at the level of fatty acids in 30 Asian women with IBS versus 39 Asian women without the disorder.

They found that women with IBS not only had higher levels of depression, but they also had higher levels of unhealthy saturated fats in their blood, and lower levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. While a study published in December in Gut Microbes found that six weeks of taking omega-3 supplements induced small changes in the composition of the gut microbiome, supporting the theory that omega-3 fatty acids could have a prebiotic effect on the gut, but more research is needed to understand its role and mechanism in the gut.

The act also produces saliva, which is needed for proper mixing of food in your stomach. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to improve your digestion. Exercise and gravity help food travel through your digestive system.

Therefore, taking a walk after a meal may assist your body in moving things along. Research suggests that short periods of low to moderate exercise may speed up your digestion, while longer and more intense exercise may slow things down In one review, gentle exercises such as Qigong, walking and physical movement significantly improved constipation symptoms Additionally, studies suggest that exercise may reduce symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases due to anti-inflammatory effects, such as decreasing inflammatory compounds in your body 35 , Exercise may improve your digestion and reduce symptoms of constipation.

It can also help reduce inflammation, which may be beneficial in preventing inflammatory bowel conditions. Additionally, eating at a moderate-to-fast pace is associated with higher levels of indigestion, which can cause symptoms such as pain, bloating, nausea, and gas Not paying attention to your hunger and fullness cues can negatively impact digestion.

Certain habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and eating late at night are associated with negative effects for your overall health. Smoking is a risk factor for the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD Furthermore, studies have shown that quitting smoking improves acid reflux symptoms Smoking has also been associated with stomach ulcers, increased surgeries in people with ulcerative colitis and gastrointestinal cancers 41 , Alcohol can increase acid production in your stomach and may lead to heartburn, acid reflux and stomach ulcers.

Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract Alcohol has also been associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, increased gut permeability, and harmful changes in gut bacteria Eating late at night and then lying down to sleep can lead to heartburn and indigestion.

Your body needs time to digest, and gravity helps keep the food you eat moving in the right direction. Additionally, when you lie down, the contents of your stomach may rise up and cause heartburn. Lying down after eating is strongly associated with an increase in reflux symptoms If you experience digestive issues at bedtime, try waiting three to four hours after eating before going to bed, to give the food time to move from your stomach to your small intestine.

Habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating late at night can contribute to digestive issues. To improve digestion, consider changing these lifestyle factors.

These healthy bacteria assist in digestion by breaking down indigestible fibers that can otherwise cause gas and bloating.

Studies have shown that probiotics may improve symptoms of bloating, gas and pain in people with IBS Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi and miso, as well as yogurts that have live and active cultures.

While research is ongoing, studies suggest that certain types of probiotic supplements may improve IBS symptoms. For example, one meta-analysis found that three types of beneficial bacteria found in supplements — Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus — were associated with reduced IBS pain Glutamine is an amino acid that supports gut health.

Some studies suggest that glutamine supplementation may reduce intestinal permeability and inflammation, though more research is needed You can increase your glutamine levels by eating foods such as beef, eggs and tofu Zinc is a mineral that is critical for a healthy gut, and a deficiency can lead to various gastrointestinal disorders Supplementing with zinc has been shown to be beneficial in treating diarrhea, colitis, increased gut permeability, and other digestive issues Foods high in zinc include meat, fish, seafood, fortified cereals, and pumpkin seeds Certain nutrients are necessary for a healthy digestive tract.

Ensuring that your body gets enough probiotics, glutamine and zinc may improve your digestion. Simple diet and lifestyle changes may help improve your digestion if you experience occasional, frequent or long-term digestive symptoms. Eating a whole-foods diet high in fiber, healthy fat and nutrients is the first step toward good digestion.

Finally, changing habits that may affect your digestion — such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and late-night eating — may help relieve symptoms as well. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Laxatives can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements. Learn more about natural laxatives. Fermented foods and drinks contain beneficial probiotics that can help improve digestion, immunity, and even weight loss.

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Mindful eating is a powerful tool to support managing your eating habits. It can help with weight loss, reducing binge eating, and making you feel…. Eating more slowly can help you feel full and lose weight, while enjoying your meals more.

It also has several other benefits. Fiber is indigestible material found in foods. Studies show that fiber has various health benefits, including weight loss and improved digestive…. Experiencing some mild nausea or bloating after eating is sometimes called a "sour stomach. Pepto Bismol is a medication that treats diarrhea and symptoms associated with indigestion.

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Nutrition Evidence Based The 11 Best Ways to Improve Your Digestion Naturally. Medically reviewed by Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT , Nutrition , Personal Training — By Melissa Groves — Updated on March 13, Eat whole foods.

Share on Pinterest Photography by Aya Brackett. Get plenty of fiber. Add healthy fats to your diet. Stay hydrated. Manage your stress. Eat mindfully. Chew your food. Get moving. Slow down and listen to your body.

Consider lifestyle changes. Incorporate gut-supporting nutrients. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History.

Mar 13, Written By Melissa Groves. You can make choices to help your body stay on tract. Your digestive, or gastrointestinal GI , tract is a long, muscular tube that runs from your mouth to your anus. The blood absorbs these and carries them throughout the body for cells to use for energy, growth, and repair.

About 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases, like gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD or irritable bowel syndrome IBS. This causes uncomfortable symptoms like heartburn and indigestion. IBS is a group of symptoms that includes pain in the abdomen and changes in bowel habits.

People with IBS may have constipation, diarrhea, or both. Many more people have other digestive problems, like bloating and stomach pain. Lin Chang, a GI expert at the University of California, Los Angeles. Chang studies the connection between stress and IBS. Her research group has found that people who have early life stress are more likely to develop IBS.

What you eat can help or hurt your digestive system, and influence how you feel. Chang says you should eat at least 20—30 grams of fiber a day for constipation. You can spread out your fiber in small amounts throughout the day.

Start with small servings and gradually increase them to avoid gas, bloating, and discomfort. Try to eat fruits and vegetables at every meal.

A variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts can provide a healthy mix of different fibers and nutrients to your diet. But some fiber-rich foods, called high FODMAP foods, can be hard to digest. Examples include certain fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and wheat and rye products.

If you have IBS, your doctor may recommend a diet low in FODMAPS. Researchers are coming to understand the complex community of bacteria and other microbes that live in the human GI tract.

Called gut flora or microbiota, these microbes help with our digestion. But evidence has been growing that gut microbes may influence our health in other ways too. Studies suggest that they may play roles in obesity, type 2 diabetes, IBS, and colon cancer.

This can affect how your body fights illness and disease. You might have heard that probiotics—live microbes that are similar to those found in the human gut—can improve your gut health.

There is some evidence that probiotics may be helpful in preventing diarrhea associated with antibiotics and improving symptoms of IBS, but more needs to be learned. Certain food additives called emulsifiers are something else that may affect your gut health.

Emulsifiers are added to many processed foods to improve texture and extend shelf life. But studies show they can affect our gut flora.