Bloated stomach: Eat these foods to improve digestion

In the UK, experts from the Gemini research department at King's College London conducted a study on nutrition, and more specifically, the intestinal flora.

What is the intestinal flora, also known as the gut microbiota?

Composed of thousands of good bacteria and micro-organisms present in the intestines, the intestinal flora plays a key role in the functioning of the digestive system. It improves intestinal transit, helping our body to assimilate nutrients and synthesise certain vitamins.

The intestinal microbiota also stimulates the immune system, to protect our body from bad bacteria. A real little soldier that works on all fronts! No wonder it is often nicknamed our second brain.

But sometimes, stress, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle can unbalance the intestinal flora, resulting in digestive disorders. So to keep it healthy and happy, here are the foods to eat without moderation.

Read more:

⋙ Bloated belly: The natural trick to deflate and cleanse the colon

What foods should you eat to improve digestion?

Professor Spector, who participated in the scientific study, recommends eating three types of food to 'promote diversity in your intestinal garden' on BBC News Africa:

• Eat 4-5 portions of legumes, vegetables and/or fruit a day. The fibre in these foods contain boosts the good bacteria present in the intestinal flora, like a little vitamin cocktail!

• Choose foods rich in polyphenols, a powerful natural antioxidant that acts as a shield against free radicals. They are found in purple cabbage, carrots, some berries (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry) and citrus fruits (lemon, orange, mandarin), but also in chestnuts, coffee and even dark chocolate.

• Focus on probiotics, those good bacteria capable of rebalancing the microbiota at high speed: natural yoghurt, kefir and kombucha are full of them.

Read more:

⋙ Kefir, the fermented drink that has some surprising purifying benefits

⋙ The amazing detoxifying benefits of kombucha

With these precious allies, no more bloating and stomach aches!