8 Traits

Every food and drink that you consume will be digested for nutrients and then used by the body. That is why the digestive organs are one of the most important foundations for maintaining a healthy body

Then, what are the characteristics of a healthy digestive system? How do you maintain the health of the organs and digestive function of the body?

Understand the digestive process

Many think that the process of digesting new food will occur in the stomach. In fact, this process has actually been started since the first time the food entered the mouth.

The food that goes into your mouth will be crushed by your teeth every time you chew, then crushed with the help of saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that refine food to facilitate the work of the next digestive organs.

Once crushed, the food is swallowed and moves through the esophagus to the stomach. This process is assisted by peristalsis of the esophagus. These are the movements of the muscles that squeeze and push food along the digestive tract.

In the stomach, the crushed food will be refined again with the help of stomach acid and digestive enzymes. This process continues until the food breaks down into a fine pulp called kim. The Kim is then sent to the small intestine.

Kim will continue to be digested with the help of enzymes produced by the pancreas and liver. The purpose of this process is to take and absorb nutrients to be distributed throughout the body.

After all the nutrients have been absorbed, the food waste will move towards the large intestine. The large intestine functions to regulate the water content of food waste so that the texture is quite dense. The waste is what becomes feces.

The stool is then temporarily accommodated in the end of the large intestine which is called the rectum. Once your digestive muscles contract, feces will eventually pass through the anus.

Characteristics of a normal and healthy digestive system

The condition of the digestive system of each person is different. However, there are a number of features that indicate that your digestive organs are working properly. Here are among them.

1. Defecate regularly

The normal frequency of bowel movements is generally 3-4 times a week. There are also some people who are used to defecating every day. This is quite natural because everyone has a different metabolic rate.

A regular bowel pattern without pain indicates that your digestion is working well. The pattern of defecating can be said to be regular if it does not change from time to time to become less frequent or even more frequent than usual.

If you suddenly have difficulty defecating or the frequency is less than three times a week, this condition can be considered constipation. Meanwhile, if the pattern of bowel movements suddenly becomes frequent and is accompanied by watery stools, this can be considered diarrhea.

2. Stool is brown and not hard

Regular bowel movements are not the only sign of healthy digestion. To be sure more, pay attention to the shape and color of your stool when defecating. Stool condition can represent how good your digestive and especially intestinal health is.

Stool is made of a combination of 75% water and 25% solid matter. Solid matter consists of food scraps, dead bacteria, toxins and waste products from the body's metabolism, and other substances.

The process of making feces in the intestine usually takes 3 days. How fast or how long the manufacturing process takes will determine the shape, size, color and texture of your stool.

Healthy stool is generally soft, brown, oval shaped and easy to pass. Stool should also not smell strong or contain bits of food that were not digested properly.

3. Fart and burp several times a day

Farting is often seen as an embarrassment, while burping is considered rude. In fact, these two body reactions are very normal and even indicate that your digestive system is healthy.

Burping and farting are the body's way of expelling the gas produced during the digestion of food. This gas is formed when bacteria in the large intestine work to break down food waste that comes from the small intestine.

Fiber-rich foods such as broccoli, bean sprouts, cauliflower, and peas can also cause excess gas formation in the intestines. The reason is, these various foods take longer to digest.

In addition, gas can also build up in the intestines when you swallow air while eating or drinking. So, you don't have to worry. As long as it is not accompanied by other symptoms of indigestion, farting and belching are actually normal.

4. Stable weight

One of the characteristics of healthy digestion is a stable weight rate. This means that your weight doesn't jump up or down in a short time without starting a diet or exercise.

A sudden change in body weight can indicate the intestine is not working optimally in absorbing nutrients, either because it is damaged (due to disease or injury) or the population of bacteria in it is disturbed and imbalanced.

Sudden weight loss can be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Excess intestinal bacteria feeds on the nutrients from your food for itself, so you become deficient.

On the other hand, drastic weight gain may be triggered by the desire to overeat because the intestines do not absorb nutrients optimally. An unbalanced number of bacteria can also interfere with the body's ability to store fat.

5. Mood or a stable mood

Digestive health can actually be seen from mood someone. Experts realize that drastic emotional changes can indicate a person is having diarrhea, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome , stomach pain for no reason, to liver disease.

This is because the work of the brain and digestion are connected to one another. In the brain there is a collection of nerve fibers that control digestion. The nervous system of the brain also controls blood flow which absorbs nutrients from food.

The researchers found that irritation of the digestive system can send a signal to the central nervous system in the brain that something is wrong in the body. This then triggers mood swings.

These findings also explain why some intestinal diseases and depression are related. If you often experience mood swing or even depressive symptoms, try to see a specialist to make sure your digestion is okay.

6. Your skin is healthy

Healthy and soft skin is basically affected by a well-functioning digestive system. If you have problems with your digestive organs, it's actually no surprise that your skin becomes irritated more easily.

Both skin and intestinal tissue are sensitive and easily absorb something. So, both of them can immediately react negatively when there is inflammation in the body.

Inflammation of the intestines is often caused by a poor diet or food allergies. This condition can cause certain proteins to "leak" into the skin tissue, which shouldn't happen.

The skin tissue considers these proteins as foreign substances that must be resisted. The immune system attacks these proteins, causing irritation reactions such as eczema.

7. Strong hair, thick, and does not fall out

A healthy digestive system is also indicated by strong and thick hair. According to a study in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Disease, people with colitis tend to lose hair.

Experts do not yet know the exact cause, but there are allegations that colitis can inhibit the absorption of nutrients from food. In fact, hair growth requires the intake of nutrients that are channeled through the bloodstream.

8. Nails do not break easily

Nail health also reflects how well your digestion works. Like hair, nails also need nutrients to grow properly. Without adequate nutrition, nails will be brittle, weak, and peeling.

Tips for maintaining a healthy digestive system

Maintaining the health of the digestive system can be started with an improvement in lifestyle and a healthier diet. Here are some tips you can do.

1. Eat lots of fiber

Fiber-rich foods are proven to maintain digestive health. This is because fiber intake can help improve the movement of food in the intestines and solidify the stool without making the texture too hard.

This can reduce the risk of constipation and other digestive disorders, including colitis, hemorrhoids, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In addition, eating fiber regularly can also help you achieve or maintain your ideal body weight.

You can get fiber from nuts, green vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. Choose a variety of fiber sources so that you also get a variety of nutrients.

2. Limiting fatty foods

To keep the digestive system healthy, you need to be wise in eating fatty foods such as meat. The reason is, fatty foods can slow down the digestive process, making you prone to constipation.

However, that doesn't mean you should avoid fat altogether. Choose healthy fats from fish or avocado that contain omega 3 fatty acids. If you want to eat animal meat, choose lean cuts of meat.

3. Consuming probiotics

Probiotics are a type of good bacteria found in fermented foods such as yogurt, tempeh, and oncom. The good bacteria from probiotics can neutralize the number of bad bacteria and help the digestive system work smoothly.

In addition, foods containing probiotics can also increase the absorption of nutrients, help break down lactose, and strengthen the immune system. In fact, these foods are also believed to help treat colitis.

4. Eat on schedule

In addition to paying attention to food sources, adjusting a meal schedule is just as important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Try to eat three meals a day in reasonable portions, accompanied by healthy snacks.

Some people may have digestive problems that prevent them from eating normal portions. If you experience this condition, try adjusting your meal times to 4 - 5 times a day with smaller portions.

5. Drink lots of water

Fiber consumption is important, but don't forget to balance it by drinking lots of water. Without adequate water intake, fiber will make the stool texture too dense, making it difficult to remove from the body.

Fiber functions to draw water into the large intestine and make the stool texture softer. The soft texture of the stool can reduce the risk of hemorrhoids and constipation.

6. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is not only beneficial for heart and muscle health, but also for the digestive system. This is because the movements of your body during exercise help improve the movement of food in the digestive tract.

In addition, exercise can also balance the number of calories in and out. If done regularly, even light exercise can help you achieve or maintain your ideal body weight.

7. Manage stress well

Prolonged stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on your digestive system. Stress is unavoidable, but you can manage it in certain ways, such as meditation, hobbies, getting enough sleep, and so on.

Maintaining digestive health can be started with simple steps. Start by observing your bowel pattern, monitoring your weight, and observing your overall body condition. Don't hesitate to discuss or ask the doctor.

In order for the digestive system to work optimally, make sure you follow a healthy lifestyle and diet. Complete your routine with exercise, stress management, and getting enough sleep.