Here's How Digestion Works & How to Improve Yours

Posted On : 26 July 2021.

Food has been a priority since Vedic times. The Upanishads claim that food represents Brahma. The Upanishads regarded food as Brahma, the creator. Living things require survival food. Additionally, Raj yoga introduced the concept of the spiritual purity of various types of food and their significance for spiritual specialists. Satvika Ahara, i.e., pure and good quality diet, creates mental clarity. Ayurveda views Agni or fire as the source of consciousness, nourishment, and brilliance and takes food as a ritual. Poor digestion weakens the stomach fire. It transforms thoughts and emotions, digests food, absorbs sensations, channels experiences into energy, and coordinates countless physiological processes. Food left undigested causes gas and bloating; if this happens repeatedly over time, it will lead to IBS. In Ayurveda, digestion and metabolism are linked to fire elements or pitta within the body. One can avoid diseases and medicines by following an Ayurveda diet. The Ayurvedic diet improves vitality detoxification and fosters calmness and peace.

Gut-brain connection:

The stomach and our brain work together. Many emotions (including anger), such as anxiety, sadness, and lack of joy, may lead to gut issues. It is also believed that our gut is like a second brain. The interdependent relationship between the nervous system and the immune system allows the spread of diseases from the gut to the brain, notably through the vagus nerve, the body's primary "communication gateway".

Ayurveda suggests a few remedies to easily incorporate into your daily regime to keep the digestive fire strong.

Healthy Gut Tips from Ayurveda:

1. For better digestion, avoid eating anything made with refined flour, processed food, red meat, caffeine, or deep-fried food. Also, make sure you drink warm water all day long.
2. Drinking warm water throughout the day is said to promote digestion. Avoid drinking cold drinks while eating. Ayurvedic philosophy asserts that digestion begins before food is consumed.
3. Did you know you often water your mouth when you smell your favourite food? Food is broken down into smaller particles by saliva enzymes when chewed well. By chewing calmly, it is easier to focus on digestion. The chewing speeds digestion and gives your gut time to send a message to your brain when it is complete by chewing.
4. It would help if you took enough time to chew your food correctly so that your stomach will signal to your brain that the digestion is complete once the food has been churned internally and the digestive hormones have been absorbed.
5. Plan your meals as per your hunger rather than following the outer clock.
6. In an Ayurveda dietary approach, particular foods are eaten at certain times, and specific food types cannot be combined while eating together. The reason is that divergent foods at different rates and thus need different environments. For example, eating fruits alone on an empty stomach or eating protein-rich food with non-starchy vegetables are certain types of healthy eating. Protein in your stomach secretes acid, enabling non-starchy vegetables to digest well.
7. Fast from 14 to 16 hours by skipping meals during those hours. Intermittent fasting refers to this practice. If you had your last meal at 8 pm you next meal should be at 11 am or 12 pm Breakfast will consist of salads, raw vegetables, and smoothies at least one or two hours before lunch or else you can completely skip breakfast. Through this technique and light exercises, you will be able to better digest your food. You can use this method no matter what your age is. The 8 to 10 hours without food in the night usually gives your body a rest. By increasing the time between dinner and breakfast, you allow your body to rejuvenate. Drinking enough water is essential.
8. Even a short walk after eating can be helpful for digestion as per Ayurveda. In addition, you should avoid falling asleep after eating.
9. Whenever you drink water before, after and during meals, you will experience digestion problems, as well as many other issues. You can drink water 45 minutes before or after meals.

Ayurvedic simple remedies to treat indigestion:

1. Take fresh ginger with rock salt 45 minutes before lunch to enhance your appetite.
2. During the summer, butter milk is an excellent addition to lunch.
3. After meals, you can use one spoon of Haritaki or Triphala powder mixed with hot water.
4. Pomegranate juice is best drunk or prepared as chutney by mixing rock salt with black pepper, cumin seeds, lemon juice, a pinch of rock salt, and cane sugar to relieve gas and balance stomach acids.
5. The fennel seeds can also soothe stomach upset and improve digestion when baked at low temperatures
6. Using equal amounts of coriander, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, along with a few peppercorns, clove, cardamom and dry ginger make a powder. Boil one spoon of this finely ground powder in a glass of water until the amount is reduced to less than half a glass. It can be filtered and drunk with sulphur- free jaggery or honey. This tea should be consumed three times daily. You should notice an improvement in digestion with this.

What you eat determines who you are, so pay attention to your dietary habits. Allowing your body to rest will promote a healthy digestive system and a healthy nervous system the next day. It is best to sleep on the left side, suggestions Ayurveda. During the night, gravity assists with the natural movement of food waste from your small intestine to your large intestine and ultimately to your colon, where it is prepared for elimination in the morning. It is important live in harmony with our internal body clock. Listen to your body. Do what is best for you.