How often do you consider how the food you put in your mouth will affect your digestive functions? When mentally reasoning with yourself on why you should pay a visit to the gym, did healthy digestion figure into your list? The truth is that our diet and exercise lifestyles have a direct effect on our digestive system.

Digestion begins in the mouth. Highly processed foods including sausage, lunch meat, and hot dogs clog up your digestive tract just like cholesterol begins blocking an artery. Because these foods lose their natural nutrients during processing, the body must take away important minerals and nutrients from other sources in order to break down their contents. Foods high in refined white sugars such as candy bars, soft drinks, and numerous other sugary junk foods fill the body with unnatural sugar and dangerously raise the blood sugar levels. Saturated fat found in red meat and many dairy products (cheese, whole milk, ice cream) delays the digestive system and should be limited to a low intake.

Foods that should be consumed in order to soothe and support the digestive system include natural yogurt and fiber-rich foods such as vegetables, beans, and fresh fruits.

As always, food choice is not the only factor. Exercise is very important to a healthy digestive system. A person who chooses a sedentary lifestyle misses out on the natural energy boost exercise provides in speeding up metabolism, which in turn triggers digestion. When your breathing and heart rate accelerate, your digestive muscles contract and assist in producing steady bowel movements. Having a bowel movement less than three times a week is considered to be constipation. Exercise helps the body to stay regular and on schedule while improving overall health. Remember to wait at least two hours after eating before exercising. Bike-riding, yoga, pilates, and walking are all beneficial in aiding the digestive tract.

Over the decades, our lifestyles have moved further and further away from natural food and exercise options. But with more knowledge, we can choose healthier lifestyles in order to aid our digestion and general health.

By Allison Burgess