7 tips for better digestion

Minimize the amount of cold drinks you consume and forgo adding ice. Room temperature or hot drinks are better for us, as it takes more energy for the stomach to warm up cold liquids and food.

How we eat can matter more than what we eat. “Even if you have the best organic diet, if you eat too fast, your stomach won’t be able to absorb the nutrition needed to be well-nourished,” says Dr Harald Stossier, director of the leading health clinic VivaMayr in Austria, who advises we take 30 chews before swallowing our food.

Don’t eat salad at night and ideally not after lunchtime. “Raw food is too much for the body to digest well in the evening and you can be left feeling bloated,” says Dr Stossier.

Take digestive enzymes with big meals to support a smooth digestion, or if you’re eating after 8pm, when the digestive process naturally slows down. “They’re fine to take daily and can really help with bloating and gas,” says naturopathic doctor Dr Nigma Talib.

Only drink mint tea between meals, never immediately after eating. Contrary to what you’ve probably been told (that peppermint tea helps with digestion after food), “as an anti-spasmodic, it stops the natural process of digestion,” says Denise Leicester, founder of wellness brand Ila Spa. “Instead, go for a chamomile, ginger or even licorice tea after a meal.”

Take collagen or silica supplements. “Collagen and silica (a tissue salt) are key components of connective tissue and can help to seal a leaky gut wall,” explains aesthetician Marie Reynolds.

Usually taken for indigestion and heartburn, these medicines neutralize the acid in your stomach. “They make the stomach less acidic and therefore open to more bacteria and bloating. If you take them regularly, try to work out the cause of your problem and see a dietician rather than relying on these,” says Dr Talib.