Whenever you have a digestive disorder such as acid reflux, diarrhea, nausea or bloating, you should look to certain foods to help bring balance back to your gut. Even if you take a prescription or over-the-counter medication for digestive ailments, choosing the right foods and supplements should still be an essential part of managing your condition.
With high amounts of potassium, fiber and the enzyme bromelain, pineapple juice is a prime choice for maintaining your digestive health. If you experience indigestion after a meal, a six- or eight-ounce glass can often bring relief in as little as 20 to 30 minutes. To help in managing gut health on an ongoing basis, drink four ounces of the juice daily first thing in the morning.
Although the low price of canned or concentrated juice may be attractive, these processes destroy the digestive enzymes and negate the majority of health benefits. Lakewood’s organic fresh-pressed Pure Pineapple juice is a highly recommended product, containing the juice of between two and three whole pineapples per 32-oz. bottle.
Its sweet, clean taste and natural pulp content are a delicious and satisfying alternative to conventional pineapple juice products. At five to six dollars per quart, the cost of Lakewood’s juice comes out to around 70 cents per four-ounce serving, which is a very inexpensive way to maintain gastrointestinal health.
An alternative to pineapple for digestive health is fresh lemon. By promoting highly alkaline reactions in the body, lemon juice helps to neutralize the gut acids which can produce digestive disorders and upset. Its distinct, sweet-tart taste is also excellent for taking the monotony out of plain drinking water. Try a homemade lemonade recipe to make for the whole family’s wellness and enjoyment.
For a convenient way to add citrus to your diet you can also use lemon essential oil, which is a highly concentrated form that is cold-pressed from an estimated 30 lemon rinds. If you are on the go, just add one or two drops of the oil to your drinking water, without having to wrangle with cut lemon wedges. In the kitchen, use several drops of the oil on fish, chicken, vegetables or salad to wake up dishes with the crisp citrus flavor.
As both are good sources of vitamin C, pineapple and lemon juice are also excellent for boosting immune system health. And with approximately 80% of human immune function being determined by digestive tract health, these juices are also likely to support overall well-being.
Although it is not realistic to expect any single food to cure an illness or health problem, lemon and pineapple are two easy, sensible ways to reach and maintain personal wellness. With digestive illness at rampant levels, nutrition should absolutely be part of the approach in managing this growing epidemic, which is responsible for decreasing productivity and ultimately increasing medical care costs for all.
Credit : Dr. Dharma RAM Choudhar (Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist, Hematologist, Hemato Oncologist- 19 Years of Experience)
