Dietary fiber is the component of plant-derived food that can't be broken down by your body. Since fiber is not digested by your body, it passes right through your digestive system and offers some unique health benefits. Fiber can help you lower...
Every bite you take enters the process of digestion and contributes to a healthy digestive system or serves as a catalyst to digestive system difficulties. While something as simple as not wearing restrictive clothing around your abdomen can...
The digestive system is underrated. Many people don't consider the work that goes into digesting, absorbing and metabolizing the food they eat. However, the digestive system is an important part of a healthy body. Eating natural foods that promote...
As with other bodily functions, a 3-year-old's digestive system is evolving, making a healthy diet an important part of a child's development. The digestive system includes the mouth, esophagus, intestines, pancreas, liver and rectum. A healthy...
Eating a balanced, healthy diet not only aids the digestive system but also ensures that essential nutrients are available for absorption during digestion. As you choose food sources from all the food groups for daily menus, you can concentrate on...
Your digestive system is an amazing network of processes that you cannot see, but it makes a significant impact on your overall health. Every item you swallow -- be it medication, food or beverage -- is broken down in your digestive system and...
The digestion of food begins in the mouth. Your digestive system moves foods along the digestive tract and breaks down foods so your body can absorb and use the nutrients in foods. The health of your teeth, which helps break down foods, is...
The mouth is the first stop on the digestive path, and it is where the teeth and tongue begin the process of condensing food into manageable portions that are easy to swallow. Teeth are made of multiple layers of strong tissues that protect the...
Also referred to as the "large intestine," the colon is the part of the digestive system where mineral salts and water are absorbed into the body. The remaining waste matter (feces) then passes into the rectum and exits the body through the anus....
When it comes to the digestive system, there are many things that can cause gastrointestinal upset or other symptoms. While it can be tricky to diagnose a digestive disorder in a child, there are several diseases that are worth looking for. If you...
Although eating right and exercising are the most important components of a weight-loss plan, it never hurts to have a healthy digestive system. A healthy digestive system can absorb nutrition and filter out waste. The probiotics in Activia yogurt...
Digestive enzymes play an important role in your body's ability to convert food to energy. They are responsible for breaking down everything you eat and drink, removing toxins that could damage your body and converting foods to energy for your...
Slow digestive systems can leave you feeling lethargic, bloated and possibly even like you have gained weight. Your digestive system is an essential part of your metabolism, and along with eliminating waste, it is through this system that you...
The human body is resilient. Given nutritional support and a strong immune system, it will heal injuries and fight off infection and disease. To achieve and maintain health, the body needs a wide variety of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and...
According to Dr. Jonny Bowden, author of "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why," yogurt is one of the healthiest foods in the world. Yogurt contains enzymes and live microorganisms that...
Digestion is the body's method of taking the food we eat and breaking it down to obtain vital nutrients that will allow us to live and be healthy. A healthy digestive system is able to process food in an amazingly efficient way as it dissolves...
Aloe vera, or aloe, has been used for thousands of years to support a healthy digestive system by promoting peristalsis and relieving constipation. Indeed, aloe juice was included in many over-the-counter laxatives in the United States because of...
While a soft, rich croissant sounds good, a whole-wheat bagel is healthier. A plate of whole-grain pasta with marinara sauce and a slice of whole-wheat garlic bread and a salad, while filling, also helps you reach your weight-loss goal more...
Fiber is an essential component to a healthy diet and nutrition plan. Dietary fiber is the part of plant foods that cannot be digested or absorbed in the body. Instead, it passes through the digestive tract for elimination. It assists in...
A build-up of food residue and toxins in your colon can cause your digestion to slow, which can lead to a sluggish metabolism, bloating and weight gain, especially in the mid-section. An inefficient digestive system can also affect the way fat is...
The primary role of your digestive system is to turn the food you eat into energy and to transfer what you don't need into waste material. Your diet has a direct influence on your digestive tract's health. Poor diet can lead to a host of...
The food you eat not only goes through your digestive system, it can also affect the health of it. Beets and beet greens can be very healthy foods for your digestive system. Both contain fiber and essential minerals that can improve the function,...
Maintaining a healthy digestive system can be the balance between you and a healthy body. Protein is used to build muscle and is also contained in every tissue and cell in the body. Combining protein and healthy digestion sources can be as easy...
Many medical experts agree that probiotics are safe to take during pregnancy. Probiotics provide numerous benefits for both pregnant and nursing mothers, including allergy prevention, a strengthened immune system and a healthy digestive system....
Sage is a common kitchen herb, but it also has a long history of medicinal use for a variety of conditions, including excessive sweating and digestive problems. Researchers are investigating sage for other health uses, too, such as menopause and...
Steel-cut oats are hearty, whole grains that stick to your ribs and keep you satisfied until lunchtime rolls around. While regular oatmeal is rolled flat, steel-cut oats are cut into small chunks using a machine with very sharp blades. As a...
Inulin is a naturally occurring substance that helps keep the digestive system healthy. It can be found in foods such as bananas, onions, wheat and chicory root. According to the National Cancer Institute, inulin helps healthy bacteria grow in the...
A healthy digestive system is critical to maintaining health. The digestive system is responsible not only for processing and extracting vital nutrients from the food you eat to provide fuel for your body to function, but it also removes toxins...
Lactobacillus acidophilus, a live microorganism naturally present in dietary supplements and cultured foods, is often used to treat and prevent bacterial infections. The microorganism is a type of probiotic, or "friendly" bacteria, that helps...
Blood type diets correlate with specific foods due to your digestive system. Learn some tips about your blood type diet in this healthy shopping video.
