The human digestive system is designed to break down food into simpler compounds that the body can use for energy. To properly digest food, certain processes need to happen in the stomach and small intestine first. 

You may have heard that people experience gastrointestinal (GI) distress, bloating, gas, or cramps after consuming foods. These symptoms are caused by the breakdown of food, especially protein-rich foods, into smaller molecules that can pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream, where they can cause inflammation or irritation. 

Your body is perfectly equipped to handle these types of foods if you give it sufficient time; however, if you consume them too fast, then digestion must occur before the blood reaches the GI tract, which causes discomfort

Heartburns

Heartburn (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when acid flows back up from the stomach and hits the esophagus, causing irritation and pain. It’s caused by excess pressure inside the stomach due to poor digestion or faulty gastric motility. This creates the right conditions for bacteria and acid to travel back up into the esophagus. If not treated, severe heart burns may lead to Barrett's esophagus.

Acid Reflux Disease

Acid Reflux Disease is commonly known as GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. You might have heard about reflux before, especially if you suffer from frequent heartburns. Most people experience acid reflux after eating a meal. When the food travels up into the esophageal tract, it comes in contact with the lining of the esophagus, causing inflammation and irritation. 

As the inflammation increases, the esophageal wall becomes thinner and weakens, making it easier for acidic contents to flow backwards. This condition then causes problems with swallowing and breathing. Severe cases of GERD can cause damage to the organs and even cancer of the esophagus. 

Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is often referred to as indigestion or dysentery. It's characterized by uncomfortable symptoms including bloating, gas, nausea, and constipation. The discomfort happens at least twice per week and lasts more than 2 weeks. 

Symptoms usually begin within a few days of eating a particular food or consuming certain beverages. In some individuals, the frequency of symptoms is much greater. According to research, the most common causes of dyspepsia include:

• Eating too fast and/or chewing slowly

• Eating foods high in fat content (e.g., red meat, butter, cream cheese, etc.)

• Drinking alcohol or drinking carbonated drinks

• Eating spicy or hot food

• Eating fatty foods late in the day

• Eating fried dishes

• Having a stressful lifestyle

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance produced naturally by the body's liver. The human brain, muscles, nerves, skin, immune system, and reproductive organs are all made up of cholesterol. If excess cholesterol accumulates in the bloodstream, it may lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks, and even death. 

High levels of LDL cholesterol the bad kind may increase the risk of heart disease. Women have larger amounts of cholesterol than men since they produce slightly higher levels of testosterone.

Inflammation

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a condition where the immune system attacks the intestines. IBD can cause stomach pains, abdominal pain, bloody stool, ulcers, weight loss, fever, fatigue, joint pain, and frequent need to urinate. 

While IBD can occur at any age, it is most likely to occur in people who smoke marijuana. A study conducted by Dr. David M. Nathan showed that CBD was able to reduce inflammation and protect the gastrointestinal tract from damage caused by inflammation. 

Digestion and gut flora

When your digestive system isn’t working properly, then your immune system suffers, and your body has less time to deal with the outside world and its many toxins. So basically, you have problems digesting food and absorbing the energy out of it. You may experience bloating and gas, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, flatulence, and excessive sweating. Your body is constantly being attacked by pathogens, and you are not able to fight back properly.

Your gut contains 100 trillion bacteria (fungi) that help break down the food we eat. When they aren't doing their job correctly, our bodies become unbalanced, leaving us open to disease. A balanced microbiome means a strong immune system, proper digestion, and a feeling of well-being.

How to maintain a healthy gut

To create a healthy gut, you need to eat whole foods. Avoid fast food and junk food. Eat lots of fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and beans. Fiber helps keep things moving along in your intestines. Don't skip meals either; eating small, frequent meals keeps your blood sugar stable, which promotes good brain function. 

Issues with low digestion efficiency

A lot of health issues can occur if you have low digestive ability. You have to be cautious about taking any food item and take only those food items that are easy to digest and contain loads of nutrients. 

While nutrition deficiency is one reason, we find out about the gastrointestinal symptoms that may occur due to a bad diet-

• Indigestion

• Gas

• Bloating

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Stomach ulcers

• Cancer in the stomach and intestine

• GERD

How to increase digestion ability?

Have a healthy diet

Focus on taking a balance of all nutrients that contain-

• Proteins

• Vitamins 

• Minerals

• Fats

• Fibers

• Cholesterol

Best green veggies to add to your diet.

• Spinach

• Kale

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

• Cauliflower

• Watercress

Fruits that can help increase digestion.

• Apples

• Watermelons

• Avocadoes

• Berries

• Kiwis

• Papaya 

• Pineapples

Food items for lean fats

• Eggs

• Chicken meat

• Nuts

• Yogurt

• Beans

• Homemade cottage cheese

Best probiotic food items

• Yogurt

• Kefir

• Homemade cheese

• Sauerkraut

• Tempeh

• Kimchi

• Kombucha

FAQs:  

Q1. When should I see a gastroenterologist?

Ans: The simple answer to when to visit a gastroenterologist is easy after all. All you have to do is keep the common digestive issues and signs given here and find out if you are suffering from any one of them. If you do, it is already time to see a doctor. 

Q2. Can lifestyle changes improve gut health?

Ans: Of course, it does not just a good diet, but regular sleep, daily exercises, yoga, meditation to relieve stress and anxiety, getting rid of dependence on alcohol and use of drugs can increase metabolic digestion rate and efficiency. 

Q3. How does gut health affect overall well-being?

Ans: Your gut health is a real indication of your overall health. There is a saying that a person starts to suffer from disorders beginning with gut issues. Well, suffering from different digestion, or other gut infections and disorders can really take a toll on your body. For example, you will start losing weight, suffer from anxiety and depression, have a rise in blood glucose, a fall in BP, and sleep health issues and so on. 

Q4. Are Probiotics good for digestive health?

Ans: Yes, Probiotics foods simply mean those food items that can help increase the culture of good bacteria inside the stomach and intestines that aid digestion and increase absorption. 

Q5. What causes frequent acidity and bloating?

Ans: One of the sole reasons for suffering from excess acidity and bloating issues is taking too much acidic food items. Avoid taking lots of apples, grapes, tomatoes or dishes made with a heavy amount of spices.