Tag Archives: digestion

5 Spices That Can Boost Your Digestion

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Most people think spices flavor only food, but there are many that have shown to have health benefits – especially for the digestive system. While there are many spices, here are five of the most common that can help with digestive issues:

 

Black pepper

This spice comes from a flowering vine. The fruit it produces is harvested and dried yielding peppercorns. When the peppercorns are ground, a chemical called piperine is released and it stimulates the digestive system by increasing the flow of saliva and gastric juices. This in turn helps reduce indigestion, gas and bloating. Black peppercorns can be added to food during the cooking process or ground pepper added right before the meal is eaten.

 

Cardamom

This slightly sweet spice comes from the seed pods of the plant and not only helps as a digestive aid by reducing flatulence, but can also be used as an antiseptic when applied topically to help heal infections. It is commonly used in Middle Eastern dishes, but can also be added to tea and used as a drink.

 

Coriander

This herb is used as a condiment or garnish typically in East Indian dishes for flavoring. But for those that have IBS-D, the oil from the seed can be more beneficial as it can help with diarrhea. It is antispasmodic which helps relax the digestive muscles. Plus, it has anti-oxidant properties too which help protect cells from free radicals.

 

Cumin

Used frequently in Mexican and East Indian foods, this spice not only provides a unique flavor to food, but it too reduces flatulence and aids in digestion. Because of the compound Cuminaldehyde in its essential oil, it kicks the digestive process into high gear while still chewing food by activating the salivary glands in the mouth. Secondly it helps with digestion due to another compound called thymol which stimulates the acids, bile and enzymes in the stomach and digestive tract making for a more complete breakdown of food. When ground cumin is mixed with water and drank, it can help relieve a stomach ache.

 

Turmeric

Coming from a root of a plant in the ginger family, this spice has been used for over 2,500 years in East Indian food to treat excess acidity and indigestion. It is also used to stop the growth of the bacterium H pylori which can cause stomach ulcers and even stomach cancer.

 

Plus, it can treat a whole host of conditions from cuts, burns and bruises when used topically to serving as a potent painkiller that is just as effective as ibuprofen.

 

Incorporating these five spices into your food can boost your digestion along with relieving many other health-related symptoms. In many instances they work better than prescription or over-the-counter medications.

 

A Calm Mind Is A Healthy Mind

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For many people, a low-grade amount of stress is a part of everyday life. So, they may not recognize that it has a negative impact on their overall health. Studies have shown that feeling stress or anxiety on a long-term basis doesnt just affect your peace of mind. In fact, youre more likely to suffer from things like digestive issues and a weak immune system if your mind is persistently stressed.

Cortisol, the hormone your body produces when youre feeling stressed, can take a heavy toll on your physical and mental health. Because of this, giving your mind time to relax and recover is one of the most important self-care routines that you can practice. Your state of mind has the potential to greatly benefit your health, or degrade it, over time.

 

Digestion

Your liver produces glucose to give you an energy boost when your body is feeling the effects of stress. Whatever your body doesnt use is then reabsorbed. However, if youre suffering from chronic stress, your body may not be able to keep up with the extra blood sugar your liver is producing. You may be at an increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes if your body is producing too much glucose. Youre more likely to have heartburn or acid reflux if you suffer from stress. Stress doesnt cause ulcers, but it may cause pre-existing ulcers to act up.

 

Sexuality and Reproductive System

Stress affects the menstrual cycles of some women. You may have irregular or even non-existent periods or more painful or heavier cycles. Too much stress may magnify the physical symptoms of menopause for women. For men, prolonged periods of stress can result in a drop of testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction and even impotency. For many, the loss of sexual appetite is a common occurrence as a result of too much stress.

 

Immune System

Stress is known to stimulate the immune system, which is good if its short-term because it helps your body stave off infection and heals wounds. But if youre stressed for prolonged periods of time, cortisol compromises your immune system. This inhibits histamine secretion and your bodys inflammatory response to foreign dangers. People who are affected by chronic stress are more likely to catch viral illnesses like the common cold. It also takes more time for the body to recover from injuries or illness, if youre chronically stressed.

 

Relaxation Techniques to Calm Your Mind

There are numerous techniques for calming your mind. For some, exercise is an excellent outlet to give their mind time to recharge. Meditation is a well known method for clearing your mind. There are many different styles of meditation, tailored to suit your needs and lifestyle.

Remember to focus on the positives rather than focusing on everything thats going wrong around you. Practice self love and compassion and acknowledge your reality rather than criticizing yourself. Set daily routines that will provide a day-to-day sense of peace and comfort that you can use to escape the stresses of everyday life, even if its just for a few minutes each day.

The well-being of your mind plays a very significant role in your health, physically and mentally. Maintaining a peaceful state of mind is one of the best ways to protect your body from the negative effects of stress. Remember that stress and anxiety are inevitable hurdles everyone deals with. Its how you manage the stresses of your everyday life that’s important. It’s also the key to overcoming them.