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6 Healthy Digestion Tips
For centuries Chinese Medicine has taken into account the strong connection between brain and gut and emphasised the importance of not being stressed while eating. This is just one of the pointers in optimising digestion. We look at various directives recommended by Chinese Medicine for a healthy eating experience and harmonious gut.
*START YOUR MEAL HUNGRY – Hunger pangs signal your brain to prepare the body for eating. It’s important to feel ready to eat before mindlessly eating according to a time slot. When hungry, we produce more saliva which is where digestion starts. A renowned Chinese doctor recommends that after a meal we should be 30 percent hungry and 70 percent satisfied.
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*LOOK AT YOUR FOOD – Before eating, take a look at your food. First eat with your eyes as this triggers saliva. Taoists sometimes call saliva ‘the foundation of youth’. Saliva has glucosamine, an amino acid naturally produced in the body for regenerating cartilage, and enzymes to help digest. Give your body a bit of time to salivate between each mouthful.
*PLACE YOUR MEAL WITH CARE AND EMPHASIS ON THE TABLE – This is done to feel a sense of abundance and anticipatory pleasure. Feeling pleasure optimises digestion. On the other end of the scale, negative feelings will compromise your digestion.
*DRINK LIQUIDS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE OR WARMER – Cold food and drinks compromise digestion and Chinese medicine believe they contribute towards fat creation. Your stomach is energetically warm and cold water disrupts the energetic equilibrium. Your body has to expend energy to warm up the temperature and that slows your digestion.
*EAT WITH CHOPSTICKS AND SMALL BOWLS – Or if not that, be mindful of dishing up small portions, having smaller mouthfuls, chewing twice as much as you usually do and refrain from eating too much.
*INVOKE A PEACEFUL STATE BEFORE EATING – Stress and anxiety compromises digestion as it sends blood circulation away from the digestive system towards the muscles. If in a stressful state, do some deep breathing to calm your system or rather don’t eat until you feel more balanced.
