How to Ease Digestion With Food

If you’re one of those people who experiences Chernobyl-like symptoms in your stomach and intestines shortly after eating, you’re probably looking for a way—short of a full stomach or large intestine transplant—to ease your digestive problems and suffering. There are some foods that have a soothing effect on the digestive system. It might be worth your while to add them to your next grocery list.

Instructions

1. Eat some basil. Researchers found that basil is a rich source of antioxidants (which fight those nasty free radicals) and, in addition, basil helps ease gas and stomach cramps. Basil contains a compound called eugenol, which eliminates muscle spasms. Make basil tea by pouring ½ cup of boiling water over 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried basil. Let it steep and strain before drinking.

2. Protect your digestive tract further by using even more basil, which can provide protection against germs that have contaminated your other food, according to Mildred Mattfeldt-Beman, PhD, RD, LD of the St. Louis University in Missouri. Basil contains anti-microbial properties.

3. Believe it or not, eating pineapple relieves indigestion because it contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein.

4. Grab a handful of raisins. Raisins, which contain fiber, help ease digestive complaints because they somehow mingle with bile acids and hurry the food through and out of you body.

5. Eat rhubarb, which is fiber rich and sops up cholesterol. Rhubarb, like raisins, rushes the food out of your body before the cholesterol sticks to your artery walls. The faster you can get the stool through and out of your system, the less likely you are to experience constipation or intestinal upsets.

6. Chow down on some rice, which soaks up large amounts of water and makes your stool larger, wetter and helps it move out of your system faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with your physician or a nutritionist if you are having chronic digestive problems.