The most neglected function of our body, which plays a very significant role in maintaining good health, is our digestion. As an Ayurvedic doctor, my consultation starts with digestion-related questions. When I ask patients about their digestion, they initially say they have no issues at all. However, upon further inquiry, they reveal that they do have gastric issues.
They also add, “Doctor, I am only concerned about my present complaint, not about digestion. Please do something about that.”
But do you know that if digestion is good, then our immunity, complexion, energy level, menstruation in females, sperm count and quality in men, and mental health, among other aspects, will be in optimum condition.
So, how can we know if our digestion is good then?
Pay attention to the following signs of good digestion:
Getting an appetite during meal times (not eating just because it’s time to eat), experiencing a good taste in the mouth, having proper evacuation of stool in the morning, no sour belching, no bloating, no heartburn, no smelly gas, no loud belching, no heaviness in the abdomen, no constipation or watery stool, and no tiredness. If your stool has a bad smell or stickiness, it indicates that your digestion may not be optimal, and you need to take care of it.
Take a moment to check your digestion. If you experience any of these issues, it is better to consider changing your food and lifestyle habits, in addition to seeking appropriate medical attention.
Poor digestion can lead to various problems, including allergies, mental health issues, piles, and many other diseases.
Several factors can hinder or negatively affect our digestion. These include drinking excessive amounts of water in the early morning, eating too frequently, skipping meals, bathing immediately after food consumption, staying up late, not eating when hungry, consuming junk foods, and ingesting food with preservatives, artificial flavours, and colours.
While you might not be familiar with this concept, gut health is currently a trending topic. People use prebiotics and probiotics to improve gut health. However, if you do not avoid the aforementioned causative factors, the benefits of prebiotics and probiotics may be limited or ineffective.