The Sanskrit word Pachan (digestion) is the main requirement for enjoying good health. There are various factors influencing our digestion, the primary factor being the quality of foods and others being lifestyle and stress level. With the advent of ready to eat foods, highly processed and refined high fat foods, fatty snacking options digestion problem have become quite prevalent in our society.
The recommended daily intake of fiber for an adult is 30-40 gm/day whereas currently people take only 10-15 gm/day. Hence, due to low fiber intake people develop digestion problems such as diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, constipation, and indigestion. Further, common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, constipation, heartburn, gas, feeling tired even after eating, burping, and discomfort are all indications that proper digestion is not occurring.
During the process of digestion, food is broken down into smaller pieces, proteins into amino acids, carbohydrates into simple sugars and fats into glycerol and fatty acids which in turn gives energy to the body. Being able to digest and assimilate food we eat is very important to maintain good immunity, good energy and good health.
If your digestion is not good, undigested food will collect in the intestine leading inflammation, arthritis, bloat, body ache, hair fall, and a host of other disorders apart from the tips mentioned above it is important to eat slowly in a pleasant atmosphere. Eat only when hungry not because it is meal time. Avoid skipping meals. Eat 3/4^th of capacity. Drink warm water in between meals. This will improve your digestion tremendously. Sit down quietly after each meal for 4-5 minutes. This will decrease vatta formation gas and will help in physical and emotional balance. It is important to know that proper digestion of food is the pre- requisite of good health.