The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients, and, as you can probably imply, it’s an essential part of the human body. Without it, we simply wouldn’t be able to function. With that being said, it’s important that we’re paying attention to which types of foods we’re putting into our bodies, and staying conscientious of how they’re affecting our digestive system.
In this blog, I’ll be discussing which foods negatively affect the digestive system, and ones that you should, therefore, try your best to avoid. Let’s dive in!
Foods That Negatively Affect the Digestive System
Fried Foods
Fried foods have high amounts of unhealthy fats, and with this, can be difficult for your body to digest. Fried foods can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, as well as increase your risk of developing digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acid reflux. The next time you’re wanting to eat a bunch of fried foods, think twice about the effect they may have on your digestive system – your gut will thank you later!
Artificial Sugars
Although artificial sugars taste delicious and eliminate the consumption of actual sugar, research increasingly suggests that they’re harmful to digestion. This is because they disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, trigger inflammation, and cause discomfort via bloating, cramping, and abdominal pain. On top of that, artificial sugars can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which may increase the risk of diabetes and obesity.
Spicy Foods
Another food that you may want to avoid to keep your digestive system healthy is spicy food, especially if it typically bothers your gut. Spicy foods can cause acid reflux and irritate the digestive tract, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. To avoid spicy foods, stay away from things like chili powder, curry, and hot peppers.
Caffeine
Although caffeine can be helpful in keeping you awake, it’s a stimulant that can also cause your digestive system to produce too much acid, which can lead to heartburn and other digestive problems. In addition to that, it can also act as a diuretic, having the ability to cause dehydration and constipation. With this being said, it’s important to be aware of and limit your intake of caffeinated beverages, including soda, coffee, and tea.
Dairy Products
Although this isn’t applicable to everyone, dairy products can be very difficult for some people to digest, especially if they are lactose intolerant, meaning that their body can’t digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. If you’re lactose intolerant, dairy likely leads to digestive problems such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. If this is the case, try avoiding dairy products and finding alternatives, including but not limited to plant and nut-based options like almond milk and soy milk.
High-Fat Foods
Another food to avoid to keep your digestive system healthy is high-fat foods, such as butter, cheese, and fatty meats. This is because high-fat foods can slow the digestive process, which can lead to constipation, bloating, and overall discomfort. Instead of opting for high-fat foods, try choosing foods with healthier fats, including avocados and nuts.
Processed Foods
Last but not least, you may want to avoid processed foods to keep your digestive system healthy. As you probably know, processed foods often contain high amounts of sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives. These ingredients have the ability to cause inflammation in the digestive tract as well as disrupt the natural balance of gut bacteria, which can lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Given this, it’s important that you’re making sure to avoid, or at least limit, processed foods such as fast food, cookies, chips, sodas, and packaged snacks.
Take Care of Your Digestive System!
So there you have it – a list of which foods you should avoid to keep your digestive system healthy. These foods include, but aren’t limited to fried foods, artificial sugars, spicy foods, caffeine, dairy products, high-fat foods, and processed foods.
Like I said before, it’s essential that we’re taking care of our digestive system. I hope that after reading this blog, you’ll have a better understanding of how to do so, as you’ll know which foods to avoid to keep your digestive tract healthy.