The stomach plays a vital role in digestion.
The stomach also has other functions, including serving as a storage area, secreting gastric juice, secreting enzymes, absorbing food, and performing gastrointestinal motility.
To ensure that the stomach can perform these functions correctly, it must be fed with healthy foods.
This article will discuss the eight most important healthy foods for your stomach to maintain its proper function.
10 Healthiest Food For Your Stomach
1. Whole Grains
Whole grains are cereals containing 100% of the grain, including germ, bran and endosperm.
They contain fiber, which improves digestion by reducing constipation. They also act as prebiotics to help feed healthy bacteria to your gut.
Whole grains rich in fiber include quinoa, faro and whole wheat products.
Whole grains such as oats and barley are great for the stomach, because they contain a lot of fiber. Fiber helps to promote healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.
The fiber helps to remove toxins from the body by binding with them in the digestive system.
2. Avocado
Avocados are a superfood, rich in fiber and nutrients such as potassium that support a healthy digestive system.
According to medical studies, eating avocados can improve the health of your gut by increasing bacterial diversity and reducing the concentration of bile acids in the feces.
Avocados are also low in fructose, which means they’re less likely to cause you gas. Avocados contain antioxidants such as lutein and Zeaxanthin, which can protect your stomach lining from damage due to inflammation or oxidative stresses.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli and other cruciferous veggies like cabbages are good for your stomach. Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, B6, vitamin A, and vitamin B6.
Broccoli is a great food for your stomach because it helps to maintain the health of the stomach lining.
It contains sulforaphane which prevents the stomach bacteria Helicobacter Pylori from growing too large or sticking to the stomach walls.
4. Tempeh
Tempeh is a healthy food. Tempeh is fermented soybean food.
Tempeh contains probiotics which help to create a protective layer on the intestines to prevent them from being attacked.
In the process of fermenting, sugar is broken down by bacteria and yeast. This leads to the breakdown phytic acids, antinutrients found in soya bean that can interfere with the absorption some valuable nutrients.
Further, the research shows that Tempeh’s probiotics can help to prevent diarrhea and IBS symptoms, as well as improve regularity.
5. Yogurt
The probiotics in yogurt help to improve digestion and maintain gut health.
Probiotics can also help prevent stomach-related problems, like diarrhea, constipation and bloating.
Not all yogurts are probiotic. Choose yogurts that contain “live and active cultures”, as indicated on the package or label.
6. Ginger
Ginger, another healthy food for the stomach, is a traditional remedy that prevents nausea and helps digestion.
It can also be used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women.
Ginger helps you to reduce heartburn and stomach discomfort by accelerating the movement of your food through the small intestine.
Ginger also contains compounds such as gingerol and sogaol, which can help with nausea, cramps, or indigestion.
7. Apples
Apples are another great source of pectin. This soluble fiber aids digestion and reduces stool volume. It also helps with diarrhea and constipation.
Apples contain pectin, which helps reduce the risk for intestinal infections and inflammation in the colon.
8. Kombucha
Kombucha, a fermented beverage that is good for the stomach, is made from tea.
This is a fermented tea made from green or black leaves, sugar, yeast and bacteria. It takes a few weeks to make.
This fermentation process produces bacteria probiotics that improve digestion. Research has shown, however, that kombucha can help heal stomach ulcers.
9. Dark Green Vegetables
Dark Green Vegetables are rich in fiber insoluble that can help to speed up your digestion.
Dark Green Vegetables contain Magnesium that improves muscle contraction in the gastrointestinal tract and helps fight constipation.
In 2016, , a study was conducted that showed dark green vegetables contained sugars that are said to feed beneficial bacteria in the gut as well as fight against the bad bacteria that cause illnesses.
Brussels sprouts and broccoli are among the darkest green vegetables that can be harmful.
Leafy greens such as kale or spinach contain magnesium which can relax your stomach muscles and improve motility.
10. Papaya
Papayas are another healthy food for your stomach. They contain papain, an enzyme that aids in digestion by breaking down the protein fibers.
It also helps to reduce Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms such as bloating, constipation, and indigestion.
It is a digestive enzyme that offers excellent benefits.
Papayas contain the enzyme papain which may help to break down proteins and aid digestion.
Conclusion
You must feed your stomach with healthy food for it to work correctly. For optimal stomach function, you should eat foods rich in magnesium, fiber and probiotics, such as yogurt, green veggies and apple.
Reduce your intake of acidic, salty, processed and sugary foods. Take plenty of water as well, since water is necessary for digestion and stomach functions.