The digestive system plays an essential role in breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste materials from the body. However, with drastic changes in diet trends worldwide, digestive issues have become quite common. Millions of people suffer from gas, cramping, pain, diarrhea, and constipation. The good news is eating foods rich with digestion-aiding enzymes can help you tackle these issues and improve your digestive health. The enzymes in these foods work wonders for your body by speeding up metabolism, increasing immunity, aiding nutrient absorption, and reducing inflammation. All you need is to incorporate these food items into your diet to enjoy benefits and healthy life. Here are the top 8 foods rich with natural enzymes that help improve your digestion:
- Yogurt
If you’re a yogurt fan, you’re in luck because it is an excellent probiotic and lactic acid source. The lactic acid in yogurt produces lactase which helps to digest dairy products. If you suffer from lactose intolerance, yogurt may help to soothe your stomach. The probiotics in yogurts are highly beneficial for your gut health and improve digestion. While your body also produces probiotics in the gut, certain factors like stress, age, and genetics can affect their production. So, taking yogurt fulfills your body’s probiotic requirements and eases digestion.
- Soy sauce
Soy sauce is a common ingredient in various recipes and present in almost every kitchen. However, it is much more helpful than just adding taste to your favorite dishes. It breaks down proteins and carbohydrates as well. Since soy sauce is made by fermenting soybeans, it is super healthy for your gut. It replenishes beneficial gut bacteria. Dark soy sauce is full of antioxidants, fights toxins and free radicals produced when the body breaks down food.
- Pineapple
Pineapples are not just flavorful fruits you enjoy on a sunny day. They are loaded with vitamin C and digestive enzymes like bromelain. At the same time, vitamin c boosts your immunity and keeps you safe from infections, bromelain aids in the breakdown of proteins. So, having pineapple after eating your favorite meaty meal can reduce the load on your digestive system.
- Apples
We’ve all heard the benefits of eating an apple a day. It turns out it does keep the doctor away by aiding digestion. Apples naturally contain amylase and amyloglucosidase. These enzymes enable the digestion of starch. Apples are also rich in soluble fibers called pectin. Pectin helps to normalize stools and thus helps with both constipation and diarrhea.
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- Garlic
Garlic is renowned for its ability to ignite the fire of digestion. Its unique properties make it a powerful food used to improve digestion in many traditions and cultural home remedies. When raw garlic is chopped, grated, or crushed, it releases an enzyme called alliinase. Garlic also contains antimicrobial properties. It even helps eliminate toxins from your digestive system.
- Avocados
If you love your guacamole breakfast, you’re in luck because avocados are an excellent source of lipase. Lipase is an enzyme that helps digest heavy and fatty meals. Additionally, avocados are packed with fiber and have low sugar levels, unlike other fruits. The next time you make tortillas and high-fat dishes, don’t forget to make an avocado dip or use it as an ingredient.
- Papaya
Papayas are commonly used as meat tenderizers around the globe. They are excellent for digestion as they contain special digestive enzymes called papain. Studies reveal that taking papaya with your meals saves you from Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms like bloating and constipation. However, make sure you eat your papayas uncooked. Heat exposure destroys the digestive enzymes found in them.
- Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is made by fermenting shredded cabbage with lactic acid. The fermentation process makes it probiotic-rich. According to researches, eating almost half a cup of sauerkraut provides 28 types of healthy bacteria that boost your gut’s health. Always listen to your body while incorporating any new food item and see what suits you and your digestive system the best!
Until Next Time,
Team Doctor ASKY!