Health and Nutrition

Digestive bitters

Updated 19/04/23

For centuries bitter plants were a staple in the human diet, used to stimulate and strengthen the digestive system.

Bitter flavour receptors are located at the back of your tongue. They stimulate the vagus nerve which sets off a chain reaction of events including the production of gastric acid, digestive enzymes, and the release of bile.

Symptoms you may need more bitters in your diet:

  • Bloating
  • Burping
  • Heart burn
  • Flatulence
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Undigested food in stool
  • Increased susceptibility to parasitic and fungal infections
  • Regular colds
  • Dull / acne prone skin

How to increase digestive bitters in your diet 

  • Squeeze lemon juice over your salad greens
  • Eat fermented vegetables
  • Consume 1-2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in water before each meal

List of bitter foods

  • Dandelion leaves
  • Cruciferous vegetables
  • Bitter melon
  • Rocket leaves
  • Globe artichoke
  • Dark chocolate
  • Kale
  • Citrus

Try our digestive aid organic herbal tea to help support and stimulate digestion.

References:

Mills & Bone 2000, Principles And Practice Of Phytotherapy, Churchill Livingston

Nickerson 2015, Herbal Homestead Journal

Thomsen & Gennat, Phytotherapy desk reference, 4th editon, Global natural medicine

Copyright. 2017. B inspired healthy lifestyle. Any illegal reproduction of this content will result in legal action.

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