Have you ever settled in after dinner and felt the tell-tale signs of indigestion? The human digestive system works like a well-oiled machine — except, of course, when it doesn’t. Not only that, but the digestive system plays an important role in our overall health, too.

One of the keys to supporting digestive health is understanding how the digestive system works and what causes it to slow down. Read on to learn more about what causes certain digestive issues and how you can support gut health.

How Does the Digestive System Work?

First things first, it’s important to know how the gastrointestinal system works. Once you know how all the pieces work together, you can work on supporting the system as a whole.

The digestive tract involves the following parts:

• Mouth: This is where you chew food, releasing enzymes through saliva and biting the food into smaller pieces.
• Stomach: This organ helps digest food using stomach acid and more enzymes, which are designed to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
• Small Intestine: This organ uses bile to break down food, removes water, and absorbs nutrients. It also houses good bacteria that produce more enzymes.
• Large Intestine: This organ continues the process of the small intestine, absorbs water and electrolytes, and compacts food to prep for elimination. It then uses muscle contractions to push food along and complete the digestive process.

Normally, it takes about six to eight hours for food to go through your stomach to your small intestine. The whole digestive process varies greatly, from one to five days. However, some factors can slow down digestion, leading to digestive upset. 

What Does Slow Digestion Feel Like?

If you have slow digestion, you’ll probably know. Digestive problems can cause visible bloating, slow bowel movements, stomach pain, and indigestion. You might feel sluggish or slow, and some people describe feeling heavy when their digestion slows down.

There are a few factors that can cause slow digestion. For example, for some people, eating lots of dairy products and lactose, processed foods, or fried foods can cause slow digestion. There are also some health conditions that can cause digestion to slow down.

For example, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that causes disruptions to the rhythm of your gut muscles, which can either slow down your digestion (causing constipation) or speed it up (causing diarrhea).

How Can You Support Gut Health?

Supporting digestion is all about supporting the health of your gut. One thing you can do to support gut health is to drink enough water. Experts recommend about 11 to 15 glasses of water a day for proper hydration, depending on your gender and other lifestyle factors. 

Another way you can support a healthy gut is by taking in plenty of probiotics to support your good gut bacteria. You can choose to take a probiotic supplement, but you can also find probiotics in fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, and yogurt. 

Eating plenty of fiber-rich foods is another way you can support your gut bacteria. Insoluble fiber (also called prebiotic fiber) acts like food for this bacteria, helping it thrive and multiply. You can find this type of fiber in brown rice, whole grains, and legumes.

It also helps to move your body after a meal. The motion of walking can help your digestive system move food around, reducing bloating and indigestion. And, while walking after meals is one of the best ways to support digestion, staying active throughout the day is also important for both your gut health and your overall health.

Finally, you can try functional mushrooms. Mushrooms like lion’s mane can ease irritation in the gut, while chaga mushroom contains prebiotic fiber. Plus, these mushrooms come with other health benefits, as well. For instance, lion’s mane can support focused thinking, while chaga can support the immune system.

The Bottom Line

The digestive system is pretty crazy when you think about it. It’s made up of many parts, all of which must work together to ensure healthy digestion. When one or more of these parts slows down or doesn’t work right, you might experience digestive symptoms like indigestion or stomach pain.

Luckily, you can support your digestive system by taking probiotics, eating plenty of fiber, staying hydrated, and incorporating functional mushrooms into your diet. If you want to try out the benefits of functional mushrooms for yourself, nothing’s easier than our instant Mushroom Coffee+. 

For more health tips, visit the Everyday Dose blog today.

Sources:

Digestion: How long does it take? | Mayo Clinic

Water: How much should you drink every day? | Mayo Clinic

Digestive system explained | Better Health Channel

What Are Prebiotics and What Do They Do? | Cleveland Clinic