The well-known saying by Hippocrates “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” is a very accurate statement because many studies over the past decades have discovered that gut health is critical to overall health.

Unhealthy stomach and problems with the digestive system can lead to a wide-range of health problems and sicknesses including diabetes, obesity, depression, heart problems, autism spectrum disorder and many others.

There are few simple steps we can follow to ease the work of our digestive system such as eating slowly and with patience, chewing the food properly, not eating more after we feel full, making sure we have plenty of water by our side and avoiding to eat right before sleeping.

Other ways in which we can help our stomach are choosing the right foods in order to keep it healthy.

Bananas

Bananas help digestion and gently remove toxins and heavy metals from the body. They are probiotics and stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the bowel.

Because of their natural anti-acidic compounds, they provide relief from acid reflux, help coat the stomach lining, therefore ease distress from stomach ulcers.

Potatoes

The potato is a stomach-soothing food because it is bland, non-acidic and easily digested.

It is also low in sodium and low in fat but rich in carbohydrates that facilitate digestion.

Potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6, C, potassium and dietary fiber which can make you feel full without overfilling the stomach.

Ginger

Ginger is a good help in cases of bloating, flatulence and poor digestion. It has anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Ginger may inhibit Helicobacter pylori stomach infections and reduce gastric ulcers.

Yogurt

Whilst most dairy is problematic to digest, a plain yogurt has an opposite effect.

Make sure you are choosing the yogurt that has ‘active cultures’ that will stimulate the growth of good gut bacteria, therefore decreasing the painful feeling of being bloated.

Pickles

Pickles and other fermented vegetables are full of probiotics which like the yogurt are perfect for endorsing healthy gut and overall health.

They help the stimulation of digestive enzymes, improve bowel movements as well as regulate the metabolism and assist with calcium and mineral absorption.