Exercises To Improve Digestion

Thursday, June 7, 2012, 17:20

Digestive problems are nothing new. After eating a spicy or oily food, the digestion becomes tricky and makes you uncomfortable. Apart from having digestive tablets or homemade churans, you can try simple exercises to improve digestion. Lets take a a look at the effective exercises that improve digestion.

Exercises to improve digestion:

Walk: When you eat a lot, you are advised to go for a walk. It is true! Walking is beneficial for improving your digestive system. If you have over-stuffed yourself after a heavy meal, take a slow walk. This not only digests food but also prevents your body from storing fat.

Twist: Lay flat on your back. Straighten your hands on the either sides. Exhale and inhale deeply. Bend your knees to your chest and stabilise the upper half of the body. Make sure the upper body is straight while you bend your knees. Now gently twist the lower spine and waist on the left side. Hold on for 10-15 seconds and then twist on the right side. Do this easy exercise for 5-6 minutes everyday.

Breathing: Digestive breathing is one of the most common exercises to promote digestion. Sit straight on a chair with your spine erect and legs straight down. Inhale deeply (count till 5) and hold for 2-3 seconds (count till 5). Exhale out completely (count till 6). This not only improves the digestive system but also relaxes your mind.

Straight reverse: Sit on the ground with spine erect and legs straight. Now gently bend your left leg and bring the foot towards the right knee. Twist your upper body (spine) on the left side. Inhale and exhale deeply. Hold the position and count till 10. Relax and repeat with the right leg.

These are few simple exercises to promote digestion. Apart from these exercises, there are few points to remember.

Avoid cold drinks: Digestive tract functions better at body temperature. Having cold fluid slows down digestion. So, if you think having a soda or cold drink can digest your meal and also, prevent gastric problems, think again!

Have apple cider vinegar: This natural drink is effective to increase digestion. Just add few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with fruit juice and have it empty stomach regularly.

Light food: Having a heavy meal slows down digestion. When you know it is difficult to digest a heavy meal, avoid hogging food. You not only slow down digestion, but also add extra pounds to your body weight.

Amla: This fruit is an ayurvedic remedy to cure digestive problems. Improper digestion often leads to gas and bloating. Have amla with black salt and drink hot water to deal with digestion problems. Amla is rich in fiber that helps break down food particles easily.

Practice yoga: Yoga is one of the most effective exercises to deal with digestion problems. Try triangle, bridge, pranayama etc to have a healthy digestive system.