Unhealthy Habits That Harm Digestion: Our regular behaviours including the food we eat, amounts of physical activity and many others can influence the gut microbiome and weaken the digestive system.
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Unhealthy Habits That Harm Digestion: Our habits and choices have a direct impact on our digestive system and overall health.
Even the smallest decisions such as munching on an unhealthy snack put a toll on your digestive health. Our gastrointestinal tract is highly complex as it contains millions of bacteria that maintain the immune system and overall health.
Our regular behaviours including the food we eat, amounts of physical activity and many others can influence the gut microbiome and weaken the digestive system.
Here are some extremely unhealthy habits that you should stop practising right now to keep your digestive system healthy.
1. Over eating
Over eating is eating past the point of fullness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, when we overeat, we eat even though we aren’t hungry. If it becomes a habit, overeating can lead to weight gain and eating disorders.
Occasional overeating can cause stomach pain and indigestion, alter how your body regulates hunger and contribute to weight gain.
2. Eating Fast
We usually find ourselves eating too fast when in a hurry. The WebMD states that it usually takes approximately 20 minutes from the time you start eating for your brain to send out signals of fullness.
Leisurely eating allows ample time to trigger the signal from your brain that you are full. And feeling full translates into eating less.
Not only does eating slowly and mindfully help you eat less, but it also enhances the pleasure of the dining experience.
3. Too Much Medications
Johns Hopkins Medicine states that medicines taken by mouth can affect the digestive system in several different ways.
Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, while usually safe and effective, may create harmful effects in some people. Certain medicines taken together may interact and cause harmful side effects.
4. Laxatives
Laxatives can be harmful to the entire body if they become a habit. According to Mayo Clinic, laxative use can be dangerous if constipation is caused by a serious condition, such as appendicitis or a bowel obstruction.
If you frequently use certain laxatives for weeks or months, they can decrease your colon's ability to contract and actually worsen constipation.
5. Lack Of Fibre
Fibre is an important nutrient that supports the digestive system by promoting the feelings of fullness and preventing hunger.
A diet rich in fibre keeps the digestion healthy. A diet low in fibre-rich foods can lead to constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, heart diseases and many other illnesses.