Shakespeare once said: "Things sweet to taste, prove in digestion sour".

The English playwriter was referring to romantic entanglements, but perhaps the statement also applies in a literal sense.

When you experience bloating, heaviness, and slow digestion after lunch and dinner or are bothered by belching and heartburn, you may suffer from functional dyspepsia. This condition indicates that difficult digestion is due to an impaired function of the digestive system.

Perhaps you have eaten too much and badly and now, after the pleasure, comes the pain!

Which are the most common Causes of Heartburn?

Due to our not-always-relaxed pace of life, we often eat too much and too fast or abuse acidic drinks and foods, such as coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks, which stimulate the contraction of the mucous membrane and promote acid production. The function of the digestive system slows down if we consume overly fatty and processed foods or in excessive quantities. This condition may lead to the over-production of hydrochloric acid, which in itself is beneficial for facilitating the pre-digestion of food and disinfecting the mucous membrane. Conversely, excess hydrochloric acid can cause digestive discomfort, such as heartburn, coughing, and gastro-oesophageal reflux when it rises from the stomach to the throat.

Stress, anxiety, and tension also have an effect on acid production in the stomach and can cause dyspepsia. When stress occurs, the motility of the digestive system is altered, negatively interfering with the processes of digestion and absorption of nutrients. Cortisol produced in response to stressful events tends to inhibit the production of gastric mucus, which is the stomach's fundamental natural barrier against the effects of hydrochloric acid.

Remedies against Poor Digestion: What to Immediately Do to Better Digest

• HOW TO CHEW? Chewing very slowly greatly aids the pre-digestion of the food, which is thus well broken down, facilitating the functioning of the digestive system.

• PROPER SITTING AT THE TABLE. Sitting correctly during meals - with the torso erect and the shoulders softly resting on the backrest - facilitates the transit of food through the organs responsible for digestion. A position too far forward towards the plate and table, which compresses the stomach and internal organs, makes it more difficult.
  
  
• PROTEIN IS EXCELLENT BUT BETTER AT LUNCHTIME. Proteins of animal origin, such as fatty cheeses and meat, slow digestion because they take longer to digest. The advice is to avoid these foods in the evening, but preferably at lunchtime.
  
  
• YES AND NO FOODS. Limiting the consumption of foods that may trigger an over-production of hydrochloric acid (e.g., those containing caffeine or alcohol) or particularly heavy to digest, such as overly fatty and greasy, undercooked, or fried foods, improves digestion.
  
  
• AVOID FRUIT AT THE END OF THE MEAL. Fruit should be eaten away from meals because it prolongs digestion.
  
  
• DRINK RESPONSIBLY AT THE TABLE. It is better to drink plenty of water away from meals because it would excessively dilute the gastric juices.
  
  
• THE BED CAN WAIT. Do not lie down immediately after lunch or dinner so as not to hinder or slow down the passage of food from the mouth to the intestine.
  
  
• AVOID EFFORTS WITH A FULL STOMACH. Postprandial exercise should be avoided because digestion requires energy, which may be insufficient during intense physical activity. It’s better to have a relaxant slow walk in a park or outdoors than a fast walk, which requires more blood and oxygen to the legs, taking it away from the stomach.
  
  
• LET’S KEEP THE STRESS AT BAY! For better digestion, it is a good idea to leave bad thoughts elsewhere during meals. As already mentioned, stress and anxiety are the most common causes of gastrointestinal disorders and dyspepsia.

Remedies against Postprandial Nausea, Dyspepsia, and Digestive Disorders: from Antacids to Natural Supplements

When experiencing bad digestion, we usually take antacid drugs, which are indicated for temporary relief from occasional disorders, such as those caused by overly abundant and fast meals. Therefore, antacids can only temporarily counteract the effects of excess acidity without definitely solving the causes.

A natural alternative to classic drugs is now provided by the formulations of anti-nausea natural supplements, which exploit the potential of some phytoextracts and specific components:

• In the cases of slow digestion, bloating, and postprandial nausea, Ginger, which is well-known as an excellent anti-nausea remedy, can help. This root improves digestion due to the ability of gingerols, which act as antagonists of serotonin receptors involved in the induction of nausea and vomiting at the gastric level. Clinical studies also show that Ginger has relevant carminative properties, reduces pressure on the esophageal sphincter, reduces intestinal cramps, and prevents dyspepsia, flatulence, and bloating;
  
  
• Fennel is a plant whose seeds are known for alleviating gastrointestinal disorders. Due to the presence of anethole, which reduces intestinal gas and promotes intestinal motility, it can help us feel lighter and less bloated;
  
  
• Thanks to its silymarin content, Milk Thistle can also support digestion and improve the body's hepatic and cleansing function.
  
  
• Other natural phytoactives known for their anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic action, such as Chamomile, with myo-relaxant action on the smooth mucosa, Indian Gooseberry, and Blueberry, a natural antioxidant, support the functionality of the digestive system, particularly in the presence of gastroesophageal reflux, acidity, and spasms.

Finally, sometimes it is beneficial to resort to supplements and medical devices that act by directly improving digestive functionality and counteracting gastroesophageal reflux, protecting and healing the gastric mucous membranes irritated by the hydrochloric acid thanks to the hydrating, healing, and coating activity of some of their components on the membrane: primarily hyaluronic acid but also pools of substances with film-forming and protective action on the gastric mucosa, such as the leaf gel of Aloe, leaves of Mallow, and Althea roots.

These supplements and medical devices also exploit the action of specific digestive enzymes obtained from fungal and bacterial fermentation, which are effective in the digestion of carbohydrates, complex proteins, cellulosic fibers, lactose, and fats and, therefore, also indicated for poor digestion due to minor intolerances.

They are particularly beneficial and effective natural alternatives in cases of poor digestion and gastric disorders because they act on several fronts by supporting the physiology of the digestive system and facilitating its functionality.