Intestinal Health Diet

A healthy digestive system depends on the optimal health of the intestines, and what you eat contributes directly to how well the intestines perform. A poor diet imparts serious potential long-term health complications that very often manifest in the intestines. The digestive system remains one of the hardest-working systems in the body, and a few simple diet guidelines help it maintain vitality and longevity. Consult your doctor before beginning any new diet.

Function

Intestines contain two separate units, the small intestine, roughly 21 feet of tubing that connects the stomach to the large intestine, and the large intestine, or colon, which is 5 feet long and connects to the rectum, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains. Most nutrients digested from the foods you eat --- including minerals and water --- get absorbed through the walls of the small intestine, then transported to all the cells of the body, while the colon excretes all of the undigested parts of the food, mostly composed of fiber.

Fiber

One of the most crucial dietary elements of intestinal health, fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and slows down the passage of food from the stomach through to the small intestine. Examples include oats, bananas and the non-peel parts of fruits like pears. Insoluble fiber, or roughage, retains water. Examples include whole bran, carrots, nuts and apple peels. Insoluble fiber particularly supports intestinal health, because it produces bulkier, softer stools and aids in regularity. Insoluble fiber may also prevent intestinal cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic, because it speeds up the passage of food transiting through the intestinal tract, thereby minimizing the time in which harmful substances can accumulate in the colon.

Processed Foods

Avoiding or minimizing your intake of processed foods may not only help your intestines function more effectively, it may reduce your risk of intestinal problems. A diet high in processed foods --- foods with little to no natural fiber --- been linked to chronic constipation and diverticular disease, wherein small pouches within the colon lining become inflamed, the NDDIC warns. Divertilcular disease can lead to many complications, including intestinal obstruction and peritonitis, a potentially fatal condition wherein the colon becomes infected.

Colorectal Cancer

Choosing chicken and seafood over red meats may be safer for your intestines. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer ranks as of 2010 as the third-most-common cancer diagnosed in American men and women, and diets that contain an abundance of red meats, including beef, liver, and lamb, can increase colorectal cancer risk, as can processed meats such as luncheon meats and hot dogs. Frying, broiling or grilling meats at extremely high temperatures creates chemicals that may be carcinogenic, although the American Cancer Society explains that researchers do not fully understand how much this contributes to colorectal cancer risk.

Warning

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a high-fiber diet can sometimes inhibit the absorption and effectiveness of certain medications. Before adding more fiber to your diet for intestinal health, speak to your doctor about which medications a fiber increase may affect.