Are you tired of feeling bloated and constipated? Digestive issues can be extremely irritating to deal with, and if they stick around, they can start to impact your day to day interactions. While taking a digestive enzyme supplement and a probiotic supplement are great ways to support your digestive health, they are not the only method in achieving a healthy digestive system.
Luckily, there are constantly new discoveries on how to combat digestive complications and how to keep your gut happy! Today, we are going to break down some of the latest trends people have turned to for their digestive health.
The Snoozy Mocktail That Might Cure Your Restless Sleep for Good
On several different social media platforms the revolutionary trend referred to as the ‘sleepy girl mocktail’ has taken the world by storm. This mocktail requires the following ingredients:
- Tart Cherry Juice
- Magnesium Powder (teaspoon or tablespoon)
- Sparkling Water
- Ice
The minimal amount of ingredients in the mocktail makes it an affordable and convenient way to support your sleep, but how do these ingredients truly help your sleep? Well, magnesium is known for its sleep inducing powers. This is due to its ability to calm your nervous system and muscles. However, the tart cherry juice should not be overlooked for its similar benefits. Cherry juice – specifically tart cherry juice – contains high levels of melatonin and tryptophan, both of which are known to help the body get a restful night of sleep.
As a result, this mocktail can be a great way to wind down in the evenings and promote a healthy night of sleep. However, it is important to remember that sleep quality should not be dependent upon taking something at the end of the night. While there is no shame in drinking this mocktail to help you get a more restful night of sleep for those extra chaotic days, leaning too much on it can cause you to become dependent. In the end, this will only further exacerbate sleep complications.
If you do choose to hit your local grocery store for these ingredients, be sure to check the ingredient list for all of the products you buy. There are tons of different cherry juices on the market, and it is crucial that you get one lacking processed sugars and instead that focuses on simple all-natural ingredients.
As always, be sure to check in with your physician before adding any new vitamin or supplement to your routine.
Red Light Therapy and How It Benefits Your Digestive Health
Red light therapy uses the therapy process called photobiomodulation to deliver the light to different areas of your body. It is known to target the mitochondria in one’s body which in turn helps to increase energy levels in your body. This increase in energy can help to promote healthy cell growth and help to repair/rejuvenate other parts of your body. Now you may be wondering how red light therapy can help digestion.
Well, red light therapy helps to increase the amount of anti-inflammatory proteins in your body. These proteins are called cytokines, and are known for helping to support your immune system as well as reduce any already present inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a common trigger and present symptom that accompanies digestive complications, so the red light therapy helps to combat the inflammation issue and in turn your digestive complications.
Red light therapy can also help to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. Healthy bacteria is crucial for your gut to thrive; however, more often than not, people struggle with a leaky gut due to a lack of healthy bacteria. Red light therapy can be a great way to support your journey in maintaining a strong gut.
Lastly, red light therapy helps to promote the growth of collagen. Collagen is crucial in helping to stimulate the presence of stomach acid which is essential in breaking down the foods we consume. Have you ever experienced abdominal pain or bloating? These are all symptoms that suggest your body might be having trouble properly breaking down the different foods you are consuming. In addition to taking a supplement that helps with bloating and contains digestive enzymes, red light therapy can be a great way to indirectly help to minimize these issues.
Mealtime Hygiene Is The New Wellness Activity to Add to Your Routine
Is your eating schedule inconsistent? Mealtime hygiene regulation refers to prioritizing when and how you consume your meals. Oftentimes, we overlook the power of intention when it comes to our eating habits, but it can make a huge difference to your digestive health.
If you simply go about your day eating when you think you should – as in morning, afternoon, and night – rather than when your body is asking you to, you might find that you will come across digestive complications. Intuitive eating refers to listening to when your body is craving food and honoring that request rather than simply waiting for the next ‘proper’ mealtime. Every person’s body is going to need different eating styles so it is important to not count another person’s suggestion as the only way to do it.
Here are some general mealtime hygiene habits to consider:
- Do not eat too close to bedtime - Eating too close to bedtime can cause you to experience acid reflux, indigestion, and bloating because your body has not had the proper amount of time to fully digest the food before you are heading into sleep. Try and pace your last meal or snack a sufficient amount of time before you head to bed.
- Do not eat simply because you are bored. - If you are someone who tends to connect their eating habits to their emotions, then you might find yourself eating when you are bored, tired, or stressed – even if you are not necessarily hungry. It is important to make these distinctions within your habits to help you better navigate when your emotions are triggering your hunger instinct from when you are truly just hungry.