6 delicious GI soothers
Tasty ways to banish bloat, gas, cramps and more
Pineapple nixes sulfur-forming bacteria
If indulging in summer treats like ice cream triggers embarrassing gas, try nibbling on 1 cup of raw pineapple. Doing so can tamp down even severe gassiness in minutes, according to researchers at the University of Delaware in Newark. That’s because the tropical fruit contains plant enzymes that quickly break down carbohydrates in the digestive tract before sulfurforming bacteria can turn them into gaseous wastes.
Chicken activates stomach-settling serotonin
As we enter sunny season, the ramp-up in outdoor activities can leave your belly in an uproar. The delicious way to reduce your risk of tummy turmoil by 55 percent? Enjoy a 4 oz. serving of chicken daily, say British researchers. The protein-packed dinner staple is loaded with L-tryptophan, an amino acid that stimulates the production of the stomach-soothing, digestion-enhancing hormone serotonin.
Berries enhance digestive motility
Steamy days and a sudden uptick in perspiration can lead to constipation for many women. But eating 1 cup of juicy berries (fresh or frozen) daily can reduce your risk of sluggish bowels by 52 percent. How? The gems boast anthocyanins and two types of fiber—all of which improve fluid balance in the colon and prompt gentle muscle contractions in the GI tract to keep food moving.
Honey kills foodborne bugs
Enjoying 1 tsp. of unpasteurized honey three times daily can prevent food poisoning—and help you bounce back faster if you do get sick. Texas A&M University scientists say raw honey is rich in antimicrobial compounds and enzymes that kill invading bacteria and heal the lining of the GI tract.
This tea eases belly inflammation
Seasonal produce is a refreshing change from heavy winter fare, but that abrupt dietary shift can bring on bloat-triggering belly inf lammation. The tasty Rx: Sip 6 oz. of marshmallow tea (hot or iced) before meals. University of Hawaii scientists say the brew’s mucilage coats the digestive tract and reduces inflammation.
Almonds neutralize stomach acid
Noshing on four almonds after every meal and snack banishes heartburn as effectively as overthe-counter medicine, say Stanford University scientists. The credit goes to the crunchers’ healthy plant fats, which quickly neutralize stomach acid. Plus, almonds speed stomach emptying to reduce pressure on the stomach valve, so acid can’t splash up into the esophagus.