Introduction
The digestive system contains over 40 trillion organisms that are critical to your general health.
Your neurological, hormonal, and immunological systems are all influenced by your digestion.
When your digestive system is not functioning at its best, you can experience an epidemic of health conditions like immune system imbalances, mood and behaviour difficulties, autoimmune and endocrine diseases, degenerative disorders, skin conditions, as well as a majority of chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
Fortunately, there are countless spices that can be used to support gastrointestinal health.
Data across numerous studies indicate that certain spices — like turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, peppers, ginger and garlic — can seriously benefit your digestive health.
Here are some common digestive spices that can not only elevate dishes from dull to delicious – but also pack a punch when it comes to your digestive health.
Each of the spices for digestion features a different bioactive property that can support digestion and nutrient absorption while helping the gut effectively break down food.
Ginger (Adrak)
Not only does ginger taste great, but this versatile spice also works wonders for digestive health.
It offers many wonderful digestion-promoting properties. Ginger has been found to have a protective and calming effect on the digestive system.
It has long been used in India for its ability to relieve gastrointestinal discomforts such as cramping, nausea, gas and bloating.
Turmeric (Haldi)
Besides adding an element of deliciousness to food, turmeric stands out for its ability to influence positive change in the gut microbiome community.
It is carminative – meaning it can relieve gas in the alimentary tract. The spice has been associated with the treatment of several disorders of the digestive system, including ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
Fennel (Saunf)
Scientific research has validated the efficacy of fennel in addressing a number of uncomfortable symptoms in the digestive tract.
These tiny seeds are rich in iron, calcium, and magnesium and have antispasmodic properties — which makes this spice a great choice to allow the smooth muscle cells of the gastrointestinal system to relax and reduce gas, bloating, and stomach cramps.
Caraway (Jeera)
Caraway is a supreme herb that has been used for hundreds of years to help reduce symptoms of dyspepsia (indigestion).
It helps in expelling gas from the bowel and prevents fermentation in the stomach.
One of the most interesting properties of caraway seeds is their anti-inflammatory effect, which benefits in treating irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases.
That said, it is important to consume it in moderation, due to the possibility of side effects.
Cinnamon (Dalchini)
A natural digestive with hot potency, just a sprinkle of cinnamon boosts digestion, relieves flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia.
Studies have demonstrated that cinnamon helps to increase the secretion of digestive fluids that not only helps your body digest food but also absorb the nutrients from the food you are eating.
Cinnamon also has remarkably powerful antioxidant properties that have a therapeutic effect on gastrointestinal diseases.
Garlin (Lahsun)
Garlic is a super-powered herb that contains prebiotic — a type of fibre that feeds good gut bacteria.
Because of this, garlic can support digestive health and treat various gastric conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, gas, and constipation.
Bay leaves (Tej Patta)
Bay leaves can do wonders for your gastrointestinal system. These leaves contain unique enzymes that help to facilitate the efficient digestion of some of the more complex proteins in the modern diet.
Furthermore, the organic compounds found in bay leaves are known to have powerful gastrointestinal benefits, aiding in the reduction of toxins in our systems, easing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and promoting overall gut health.
Final thoughts
No food is a miracle cure for digestive health, of course, but if you frequently experience digestive issues, you should reconsider incorporating the above spices more regularly in your diet.
And even if you don’t have digestive issues, spicing up your plate may be just the thing to try, to make cooking more delicious, more satisfying and more fun.
There are obviously other aspects, such as our stress load, sleep, nutrition, alcohol, smoking, weight, liver function, circulation, mood, exercise, chemicals, food quality, and so on, that have an impact on your digestive health, but you can start by being careful of what you eat.
As an add-on, make a habit of taking preventive health checkups as they can help you in getting a complete insight into your health. This will also help you with taking measures to promote your overall well-being.
