Six tips to support a healthy digestion

peaceful setting is important to healthy digestion

A healthy body-mind interaction will support a healthy digestion. Overall, when you are happy, enjoy life and eat in peace, your body supports you with a healthy digestive function. When you are stressed and depressed, digestion will be compromised accordingly.

In certain cases, the health of the digestive system can be a more complex matter and may require professional help however, the following tips will support you in building a healthy  foundation:  

• Digestion starts with the first bite; the longer you chew your food the easier it will be for the stomach to break down the pre-digested paste and send it where it needs to go for absorption and elimination.
• It is best to eat your meals sitting down and in a peaceful environment versus in the car, on the go, in front of the computer or TV. When you eat slowly you tend to eat less; note that it takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register the signal of satiation. In addition, conscious breathing which you employ when you are focused on what you are eating, further assists the digestion and food metabolism.
• Avoid eating when stressed, angry or sad; these psychological states are responsible for over or under production of hydrochloric acid. When HCL acid is increased there is an overly acidic environment in the stomach that leads to heartburn. On the other hand, when HCL acid is low there is not enough juice to breakdown food, digestion slows down and there is a sense of heaviness and discomfort.
• Consider eating the bigger meals of the day during breakfast and lunch time when the digestive capacity is greater.  As the day progresses, digestion starts slowing down and the later you eat the more difficult for the body to process it. Also, avoid drinking cold beverages with meals, especially iced ones,  as they dissipate the heat created in the stomach necessary for breaking down food.
• Enjoy what you eat, let the meal engage all your senses. Food touches us in more levels than just that of hunger, and how you eat and take in nourishment may have a direct effect on how you nourish yourself in general.  It is said that digestion starts in the mind and how you take in and accept life's events will show in how you digest  food. 
• Lastly, who or how the food is prepared will also affect how easily will be digested; joyful preparation will charge the food positively, whereas discontent of the cook will affect the food negatively.

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