Balls, digestive discomfort, intestinal pain? Does her symptoms seem familiar to you?

It is increasingly common in our present society to meet people who suffer from inflammation of the intestine. A few small anatomical explanations to start...

The intestine is composed of 2 parts; small intestine (commonly called small intestine) and colon, also known as large intestine. The small intestine is between 3 and 6 meters. It consists of the duodenum, the jejunum and theileon. Its role is to continue the digestion started in the stomach and especially to absorb the nutrients needed for our body.

The colon is between 1 and 1.5 metres long. It begins with the caecum, prolongs with the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and ends with the rectum. Its role is to concentrate faecal matter after reabsorption of water and salt.

Inflammation of the intestine is largely (except for specific genetic cases) caused or exacerbated by our current lifestyle; stress, lack of physical activity, reduced sleep time, etc. Our current diet is no longer in line with this sedentary lifestyle and it ends up having an impact on our digestive system.

Here is the top 5 food tips to improve your digestion

• Focusing on food low in fat and sugar. Fat-rich foods tend to strongly stimulate bowel movements (gastrocolic reflexes).
• Fiber supplement Dietary fibers regulate intestinal transit, increase stool weight and reduce transit time. They are found in fruits (orange, figs, etc.), vegetables (artichokes, carrots, etc.) and cereals (oats, barley, psyllium).
• Drinking, Drinking, Drinking : water of course (preferably flat water with gas water) ! Avoid caffeine or alcohol drinks. In addition, the effect of fibre on transit is improved by an increase in the amount of water absorbed.
• Less portions : hearty meals tend to cause cramps and diarrhea. It is better to eat more often but in smaller quantities.
• Regular schedules : regular eating allows for better digestion and prevents our body from « store » for low energy consumption.

Advice is provided for guidance purposes. If symptoms persist please contact your doctor.