The digestive system is where it all begins. You will not produce energy, have a balanced mood, or fight disease if you can not digest, break down, and absorb nutrients. There are many simple things that can be done to maintain the health of the digestive system. Let’s see how.

1. Eat healthy and full-of-fiber foods

Bananas contain about 15-20 percent of your daily fiber requirement. Bananas also contain fructooligosaccharide, which is a natural compound that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are called “probiotics” that are responsible for a myriad of activities in your body, including facilitating proper digestion. This shows that diet is very influential in keeping your digestive system in order to stay in control.

2. Exercise

Another thing you can do to take care the digestive tract is to do some simple daily exercises. Bowel function is much more effective when the abdominal muscles are strong and consistently moving. Crunch is the best way to strengthen the muscles and can keep the digestive system healthy by increasing blood flow to the intestines and colon. One study showed that women who walk every day are 31% less likely to develop colon cancer.

3. Meditate

You can not ignore the connection between mental and physical health. Stress is one of the most powerful killers in our society. We can not control every situation that causes stress, but we can change the way we should respond. When we are stressed, our body goes into “fight or flight” mode, it can interfere with our digestion. Meditation is the best way to relax and reduce stress; and research shows that relaxation is a powerful method to improve digestive health.

4. Take Probiotics

Probiotics are a kind of healthy bacteria that naturally exist in the digestive tract. Probiotics help keep the body healthy by fighting the effects of poor diet, antibiotics, and stress. In addition, probiotics can increase the absorption of nutrients, can help break down lactose, strengthen the immune system. Examples of probiotics are low-fat yogurt or kefir.

If you have indigestion, following the tips above you may be able to restore your health. The problem is not what is eaten, but what is absorbed. Even if you eat the best food, the nutrients will not be absorbed either if your digestive system is bad.