Our microbiome is getting all the attention these days, as it should. But many of our gut challenges begin just upstream in the stomach with low stomach acid, also known as hypochlorhydria. It’s more common than most think.
Having strong stomach acid ensures food gets properly broken down. If the stomach doesn’t produce enough acid, key minerals and proteins won’t be absorbed into this body. Along with the absorption issues, common symptoms can range from gas and bloating to cramps, indigestion and belching. But this can exacerbate into greater consequences like constipation, food sensitivities and chronic illness.
Low stomach acid can be caused by poor eating hygiene- the simple act of eating too fast, not chewing your food enough or drinking too much water with your meals can deplete our digestive juices. Stress also expends our digestive system over time.
This is where the bitters come in; they have been shown to help increase stomach acid when taken before a meal and act as a digestive aid.
This can ease indigestion, heartburn, nausea, cramping, bloating, and gas.
It’s super simple. Just place a few drops of bitters under your tongue about 15 minutes before you eat. Let your mouth get watery- this signals the entire digestive process to rev up and actually make stomach acid. Yes, the flavor is …. bitter. That’s how it works.
There’s a lot of options available to purchase, and you can even make your own. Here’s a couple of bitters I tend to use:
Urban Moonshine Bitters
~or~
Swedish Bitters
The simple act of taking bitters before meals can have wondrous effects that ripple through your entire well being. It’s something I take every day!