Crappy digestion stinks even more than, well, number two does! If you suffer from a slowwwww digestive system, you’re not alone.
Sure, we all experience some gas, diarrhea, nausea, and constipation on occasion but if you have a crappy (pardon the pun) digestive system, it can actually be disruptive to your life. It’s not fun having to jump off your Zoom meeting, bolt out of a store, or skip out on dinner with friends because your stomach isn’t right.
Fiber is the fuel that keeps your digestive system running smoothly and can help fix a crappy digestive system. Read on fiber friends to learn how to take control once and for all!
Why Do I Need to Speed Up Digestion?
Masterchef / Via media.giphy.com
Bad digestion is more than just annoying and uncomfortable. Waste that sits in your colon for too long has the chance to be reabsorbed back into your bloodstream and irritates the walls of your intestine. We hate to be a bummer, but if waste is regularly sitting in your colon for too long, it can increase your chances of serious conditions like candidiasis (fungal infection caused by yeast), diverticulitis (an inflammation or infection of the intestines), or even cancer. That is why it is important to have an efficient digestive system. However, our Western diets and modern way of life unfortunately leave many of us prone to slow digestion.
What is a “Good” Digestive Time?
Most people assume that the food they eat comes out in their next bowel movement. But in reality, our digestive systems actually work a lot slower than that. Food takes quite the journey as it travels through our bodies. The normal “transit time,” or trip from our mouths to the potty, is about 24 hours for someone with a healthy digestive system. (Though it does vary a bit from person to person.) That being said, there are many things you can do to speed up your digestion.
Dos and Don’ts to Speed Up Digestion
There are several adjustments you can make to your diet and lifestyle to speed up your digestion. Here are some of the dos and don’ts you should know to get your digestive system in working order:
Do: Exercise!
Exercise has way more benefits than just weight management. You can encourage what you eat to move through your body by getting moving. Plus, we know that exercise increases our metabolism. So get out on that walk or book that yoga class to get more than just your body moving, but your bowels, too.
Don’t: Stress!
Do whatever you can to relax (yes, we know it’s not that easy to do). Yes, stress can not only slow down digestion (the gut and our brains are very tight!) but can also contribute to other symptoms, like heartburn, bloating, and cramping (by contracting muscles resulting in pain and discomfort). So light a scented candle, try some meditation, turn on Netflix, do what you can to relax - and hopefully, your bowels will follow suit.
Do: Eat More Fiber
Fiber is the magic carb that can help you speed up your digestion once and for all. However, just like exercise, you need to be consistent with your fiber! Women should try to eat 25 grams of fiber every day, while men should aim for 38 grams a day. Some high-fiber foods include beans, broccoli, and bananas. And if you can’t eat enough fiber every day, consider a supplement like Bonny! (Just remember to add more fiber to your diet slowly! Too much, too fast can cause gas and other issues.)
Don’t: Eat Bread, Milk, Hard Cheese, and Refined Carbs
Via media.giphy.com
Certain foods pass slowly through your digestive tract. So, if your goal is to speed up your digestion, you might want to avoid milk, meat, hard cheese, and refined carbohydrates like white sugar and white flour. These foods can bring your digestive system to a halt and basically cause a traffic jam in your gut. (We know this one is tough, start with reducing your intake and look to eliminate over time.)
Do: Drink More Water
The advice you’ve been given to drink eight glasses of water a day is not just a myth. Low fluid intake (of non-caffeinated beverages, so no, that venti iced coffee doesn’t count!) is one of the main causes of constipation. In addition to keeping you hydrated, water also keeps your poop hydrated and helps it move through your body faster. Plus, water will help you digest all that fiber you’re going to be eating!
Do: Chew Slower
Our digestion doesn’t start in our guts but in our mouths. When you chew your food more slowly and better, it helps you speed up digestion.
Wait, How Does Fiber Help With Digestion?
If you’re suffering from constipation, try some fiber. Diarrhea? Same answer: bulk-me-up fiber. Yes. really! Fiber can fix both issues (or any issue that might be giving you digestive distress.)
Fiber plays a starring role in your digestive health. Here’s how it all goes down in your gut: fiber is basically Popeye for your poop. That’s because dietary fiber increases the weight and size of your stool and softens it, and a bulky stool is actually easier to pass. If you have loose, watery stools, fiber helps solidify it by adding bulk.
These are the top five ways that fiber helps with digestion:
- Keeps you regular:
- Promotes a healthy gut biome
- Balances cholesterol levels
- Keeps you feeling fuller longer
- Helps you better absorb nutrients
It’s important to be regular with your poops to maintain your overall bowel health.
How to Digest Better with Bonny
Here’s the thing: you need more fiber to fix your poor digestion. But it is tough to eat enough fiber every single day. That’s where a supplement comes in. Get on the road to better digestion - and better poops - with your new favorite fiber supplement, Bonny.
Our all-natural, plant-based fiber supplements don’t taste like fiber. Break free from your bathroom with Bonny fiber powder available in flavors like Mixed Berries and Super Strawberry.
As always, we wish you pleasant poops.
