Healthy digestion : Most favourite FAQ answered here by Maharishi Ayurveda

Are you frustrated with poor digestion? Do you face a lot of discomfort and pain due to digestive disorders? The answer would be ‘Yes, it is very common, and it impacts my daily life.’

Not surprisingly, because what you eat makes a huge difference in how efficiently your digestive tract works. Due to our modern lifestyle, we eat a lot of junk, unhealthy food, resulting in occasional digestion problems such as gas, bloating, stomach discomfort, constipation, and heartburn. Also, hectic and demanding lives make it incredibly difficult to exercise. Sometimes digestion complications can also result from more severe conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Diverticulitis, and many more. Since 70% of the body’s immune system dwells in the digestive tract, maintaining healthy digestion is crucial for overall well being.

How does the digestive system work?

Your digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The GI tract works as one long waste chute – like a series of organs joined in a twisting tube from your mouth to your anus. These organs are the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. Once, you put food in your mouth; it begins its journey to the anus through the GI tract and helps your body digest food.

So, here it is. Maharishi Ayurveda answers frequently asked questions about digestive health.

What can cause poor digestion?

Ans: Unhealthy lifestyle, poor nutrition, inactivity, food sensitivity and infection can cause poor digestion.

Does water after meals disturb digestion?

Ans: Water is necessary for good health. It’s a myth that water dilutes the digestive juices or interferes with digestion. In reality, water during or after a meal aids digestion. Moreover, water softens stool, which helps prevent constipation.

How to take care of your digestive system?

Ans:There are five golden rules.

• Eat high-fibre fruits and vegetables:There are different types of fibre like soluble and insoluble, and when combined, they promote digestive health. Soluble fibre helps to absorb nutrients better, and insoluble fibre helps produce softer stools.

• Take probiotics:Good bacteria helps to keep the lining of the bowel healthy, maintains good stomach acid balance, and prevents harmful bacteria from multiplying and making you sick.

• Don’t avoid carbs or breakfast: As part of the weight-loss diet, some reduce their carbohydrate intake. But, you need grain-based foods and fibre to keep your digestive health on track.

• Take enough fluids: You can maintain your digestive health by drinking plenty of water.

• Choose better lifestyle habits: Smoking, high-fat foods, alcohol, caffeine and stress has a negative impact on the digestive system. So, avoid these factors to manage your digestive health better.

What are some tips for quick digestion?

Ans:Here are some of the tips.

• Eat sitting down without starting the TV.

• Eat a fresh piece of ginger before a full meal.

• Drink lassi or buttermilk at lunchtime.

• Avoid ice-cold drinks.

• Lunch must be the largest meal of the day.

• Dinner should be lighter and eaten before 8:00 p.m.

Which foods to avoid to enhance digestion?

Ans: Go easy on processed carbs, like white bread, rice and pasta as these are low in fibre and nutrients. Avoid processed meat and watch your sugar intake. If you drink alcohol, allow yourself at least two consecutive alcohol-free days per week. Also, limit your caffeine intake.

What are the foods to eat to improve digestion?

Ans: Various foods can help at different stages of the digestion process. Take foods containing ginger as they can reduce bloating and other digestive problems. Unsaturated fats can help the body absorb vitamins, and when combined with fibre can encourage good bowel movements. Consume vegetables with skin and green leafy vegetables as they are rich in fibre and other nutrients. Take fruits as they contain vitamins and minerals that are good for digestion, such as vitamin C and potassium. Whole-grain foods also have high fibre content that aids digestion. You can also take yoghurt as it has live bacteria that aid digestion.

How can Ayurveda help healthy digestion?

Ans: In Ayurveda, Agni or digestive fire is viewed as the source of life. It’s the gatekeeper of good health which aids all body functions. Everything you eat is an offering to Agni in Ayurveda. Basically, what you eat can nourish and strengthen this fire, boosting your digestive system or leading to an imbalanced Agni. So, as per Ayurveda for digestion, you should avoid fried foods, processed meats, and very cold foods that can create toxins, or in Ayurvedic terms “Ama", which is the root cause of all diseases. So, the goal is to balance this digestive fire.

Other than eating the right food, what can be done to boost digestion?

Ans: Various ayurvedic lifestyle and habits can improve your digestion and keep problems related to it miles away. Daily meditation daily can positively affect your body and help improve digestion. Also, physical activities like yoga, running, or walking can make you feel energetic throughout the day and keep your digestive system active. Moreover, the key to healthy digestion depends on eating in moderation and not going overboard. So, avoid overeating. Along with the above, drink a minimum 3-4 litres of water.

How to improve digestion at old age?

Ans: The list of digestive problems increases as you age. Multiple medications, inactivity, dehydration, the sinking of the diaphragm, weakened sphincter muscle, and severe constipation can contribute to digestive troubles during old age. But simple lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding foods that trigger heartburn or reflux, taking probiotics, checking side-effects of the medications and staying active can reduce the problems and enhance digestion.

Can eating habits have an impact on digestion?

Ans: Yes, it can. The way you eat has a significant impact on how your digestive system works. By changing a few of your eating habits, you may be able to improve your digestion effectively. So, focus on eating in a relaxed environment and turn off your television or phone. Try not to eat when you are in a bad mood. This is because your brain and your digestive tract are interconnected. So these feelings can impact the effectiveness of your digestive system. Also, be sure to chew thoroughly before swallowing each mouthful of food to lessen the impact on your digestive system.

Hope the above FAQs have resolved your queries. Making the right choices is critical here. It will help you not just maintain but enhance your digestive health.

Maharishi Ayurveda’s Amlant- Best ayurvedic medicine for healthy digestion

Maharishi Amlant is a 100% ayurvedic medicine that provides relief from acidity and gastritis without any side effects. It helps control the digestive acid balance in the stomach and relieves the discomfort and pain induced by acidity so that you can enjoy your food without any issues.

Amlant consists of Mishri and Vaidang that reduces burning, inflammation and cramps. Haritaki, Vibhitaki, Lawang, Pippli and Sarjika Kshor help in digestion. Other ingredients like Sheetal Parpati, Amlaki and Mulethi work as cooling and relaxant. Nagar Mustaka acts as a diuretic.

Maharishi Amlant has the following benefits:

• It restores the balance of stomach acid and digestion naturally.

• It heals existing issues related to ulcers and prevents the formation of new ones.

• It strengthens the digestive system and finds a cure that is free from adverse effects.

• It provides a long term solution in treating common digestion problems.