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Maintaining a healthy microbiome is crucial for gut health, and it all begins with digestion. When digestion is compromised, it can throw off the delicate balance of bacteria in our gut, leading to various health issues. In this post, we'll explore how our modern lifestyle can impact digestion and what we can do to support it.
The Role of Digestion in Microbiome Health
Digestion is the process by which our body breaks down food into smaller, absorbable components. When food is not properly digested, it can become a source of fuel for harmful bacteria, leading to microbial overgrowth and imbalances in the gut microbiome. As we talked about in the last post, this can contribute to digestive issues, allergies, and even autoimmune disease.
The Brain-Gut Connection: Where It All Begins
Believe it or not, digestion kicks off way before you take that first bite. It starts in your brain, where just the thought of food can trigger the release of stomach acid and digestive enzymes needed to break it all down. But in our fast-paced world, where we're always on the move, we often skip this crucial step.
Slow Down and Smell the... Arugula?
Ever wolfed down a meal on the go, only to feel like a brick is sitting in your stomach 30 minutes later? Yeah, we've all been there. But here's a simple trick to help your digestion out: take a moment to pause, take a few deep breaths, and really think about the taste of your food before diving in.
Embracing Bitter: Your Digestive BFF
Okay, so maybe you're not the type to whip up a gourmet meal every night. That's cool! There’s another way we can nudge your digestive system into working order - exposing your taste buds to bitter flavours.
If you don’t have time to prepare a meal, try starting your meal with some bitter greens like arugula, kale, dandelion, or endive to turn on that digestive process. Or, if supplements are more your style, take a bitter tincture like digestive bitters a couple minutes before you dig in. These guys can kickstart your digestive system, getting it ready to tackle whatever you throw at it.
In a Nutshell
Taking care of your gut isn't just about avoiding stomach aches—it's about nurturing a thriving community of microorganisms that keep you healthy from the inside out. So next time you sit down for a meal, take a moment to appreciate the magic of digestion, and maybe toss some bitter greens on your plate while you're at it.
Stay Tuned
In the next post, we'll dive deeper into how digestion impacts the microbiome - and learn how we can support our main microbial gatekeeper: stomach acid.
Resources on bitters:
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