Digestion is the body's process for breaking down foods that you have eaten. Some elements of these foods are used to produce energy and the remaining waste is prepared for excretion. Slow digestion can make you feel sluggish and may cause constipation. However, there are a number of steps you can take to naturally speed up digestion.
Step 1
Drink increased amounts of water. It is generally recommended to drink 64 oz. of water each day to support adequate hydration. In addition, water helps your body break down the foods you have eaten. Although you can drink other fluids, water is the best option, because it doesn't dilute or eliminate naturally-developed fluids in the intestines that initiate digestion.
Step 2
Eat the recommended number of servings of dietary fiber of each day. Dietary fiber is essential to the digestive process. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are all sources of dietary fiber. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that female adults consume 1½ cups of fruit, 2½ cups of vegetables and 3 oz. of whole grains each day. Male adults should consume 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of vegetables and between 3 and 3½ oz. of whole grains.
Step 3
Increase physical activity. Physical activity helps keep food moving through the digestive process. If you're feeling overly full after eating a large meal, engaging in some mild physical activity can help jump start the digestive process. However, you should wait at least 30 minutes after eating before initiating any physical activity. Engaging in physical activity at various intervals throughout the day, every day, conditions the body to respond to physical activity so that the digestive system works optimally.
