Thousands of Americans suffer from digestive problems and discomfort on a daily basis. The issues stem from a variety of health conditions, including overeating, acid reflux and food poisoning, and it's difficult to prevent all of them all the time. However, incorporating a few staple foods that aid digestion into your diet can help keep your digestive system running as smoothly as possible.
Ginger
According to the Bastyr Center for Natural Health at Bastyr University, ginger aids digestion by helping food move faster from the stomach to the small intestine. Raw ginger root, ginger tea, crystallized ginger and other ginger products may have similar beneficial effects. Ginger sometimes is used as a natural remedy to treat digestive issues such as diarrhea, indigestion, gas, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.
Probiotic Foods
Some fermented food items contain bacteria known as probiotics, beneficial cultures that aid digestion and are similar to bacteria that are found naturally in the gut. Most varieties of yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso and buttermilk contain at least some strains of probiotics. If you intend to seek out probiotic foods, choose low-fat items, as the Mayo Clinic notes that fatty foods can slow digestion and cause gas.
High-Fiber Foods
According to MedlinePlus, foods that are high in fiber aid digestion by adding bulk to your body's waste products. Insoluble fiber also helps foods pass quickly and successfully through the digestive system. High-fiber cereals, whole-grain products, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas and lentils will add healthy amounts of fiber to your daily diet.
Non-Acidic Foods
If you have heartburn or acid reflux, avoiding "trigger foods" and seeking out foods that are less acidic may help improve your digestive processes. Often, the foods that can be most helpful are somewhat bland and easy to chew and swallow. They include bananas, oatmeal, rice, plain bread and cereal.
Water
Although it's not technically a food, water is essential to helping your digestive system work properly. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking water during or after a meal as well as throughout the day can improve digestion because it helps break down food and move it through the system. In addition, some vitamins and minerals found in foods are water-soluble, meaning that they require a sufficient amount of water for your body to be able to absorb them effectively.
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