2 Tips to Address Digestive Issues
This month I’m sharing 2 simple ideas to help with digestive issues you might be experiencing. First is how to use water to improve your digestion and address heartburn. And second, is a apple tea you can use when you have either chronic or occasional diarrhea.
Tip #1: How to use water to improve your digestion
First let’s understand hydration. Did you know that your body loses between 2.5 and 3 liters of water a day through urination, bowel movements, sweating and breathing? We need to replenish our fluids with at least that much water so that it can adequately flush out toxins and hydrate every cell in our body. I tell everyone to drink half of their body weight in ounces of water. So if you weigh 200 lbs, then you need to drink at least 100 ounces of water . Before you say “that’s a lot of water!” read on…
Here’s how to best take in all that water so your body can really use it.
1. Drink before meals. Your stomach lining gets thicker with good hydration, this protects your stomach when your body produces stomach acid to break down foods. If you are dehydrated, your stomach lining is thin and is more likely to be damaged by the acid. So it’s best if you drink water about 30 minutes before eating so that your stomach lining is thicker.
2. Don’t drink fluids with your meals. Why? Because you need the stomach acid to break down food so your body can use the nutrients from it, and it also kills off bacteria that may be on the food. If you water down the stomach acid with fluids, it can’t do it’s job and bacteria can run amok. H. Pylori is a prime example of this, and can cause horrible heartburn and indigestion. Drink fluids before you eat and then wait at least 30 minutes before consuming more. A few sips during meals is okay if you need to wash something down, but limit it to just a few.
3. Add a tad of sea salt to your water. I’m not talking about table salt. You’ll want to use a good quality Celtic sea salt. Why? Because table salt is chemically altered and can contribute to high blood pressure. Celtic sea salt contains 84 minerals and 3 kinds of magnesium that contributes to over 300 uses in the body. Magnesium, sodium and potassium help water to get into the cells and flush toxins out of the cells. Salt helps transport nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood. The Celtic sea salt also helps keep the water in the cells rather than you peeing it out. Many people tell me that they don’t drink more water because they have to go to the bathroom all the time. By adding Celtic sea salt, you’ll find you this isn’t the case.
Remember that caffeinated drinks are dehydrating, so if you are going to drink them add even more water.
An added benefit is that hydration also helps with constipation.
Tip #2: Apples keep the Diarrhea away!
This is a tip from our friends at Botanical Biohacking who supply us with some premium quality herbal medicines.
Apples contain several properties that can help alleviate diarrhea. Try making apple tea. Here’s why…
1. Pectin Content: Apples contain pectin, a type of soluble fiber that absorbs water and forms a gel. This can help bulk up stool and slow down the passage of feces through the digestive system, reducing the frequency of bowel movements. Pectin is particularly concentrated in the skin and flesh of apples.
2. Antioxidant Properties: Apples are rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. This can be beneficial in cases where diarrhea is caused by inflammation or irritation of the intestines.
3. Hydration: Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, and drinking fluids is crucial for recovery. Apple tea, being a fluid, can help maintain hydration.
4. Soothing Effect: Warm liquids, in general, can have a soothing effect on the digestive system, helping to relieve discomfort and cramps associated with diarrhea.
Apple Tea Recipe – a useful aid for soothing occasional or chronic diarrhea.
Core and peel an apple. Crush it up in a blender and add boiled water. Drink warm twice daily.
If you need help with digestive issues, we are here to help. Give us a call.