Ensure your stomach isn't bloated this autumn
It might be surprising, but summer and autumn are filled with several digestive health challenges. From BBQs and ice creams, to exercising less in the heat, to summer holidays, many of us will be left agonising over our weight and digestive health this autumn.
Now new research by Potter’s Herbals’ expert panel, the Henry Potter Advisory Committee, investigates how this truly affects us and what steps we can take this autumn to help our digestive health.
In fact when it comes to weight, independent research shows that six in ten Britons admit to putting on the pounds when abroad for their summer holiday, with the average person putting on 5lb, and a cheeky quarter of us gaining at least 7lb. One in 20 of us even pile on a stone or more.
What’s more, there is an increasing trend for Brits to travel abroad for their summer holiday in the autumn, with a 21% rise in holiday bookings over this period. 37% of us say that we do this when the weather for a Great British Summer looks set to be promising so we can take advantage of it and then have warm weather in the autumn by going abroad. This means, our digestive health and weight challenges tend to happen later on in the year as a result.
Dr Chris Etheridge from the Henry Potter Advisory Committee for Potter’s Herbals says: “It is so important to be aware that it is not just our weight that can be affected by our diet but also our digestive health. What we eat and how active we are can have a major impact on our digestive wellbeing. Digestion of simple carbohydrates such as starchy foods as well as fruit tends to be easier for the body to breakdown than proteins, for example, due to protein having a more complicated chemical structure.”
“What’s more, new science suggests that pre-existing damage to the digestive system is a leading challenge for weight management and weight loss programs. If our digestive system is inflamed for example, we are more likely to crave carbohydrates, sugar and high calorie foods which can interfere with our metabolism. Therefore focussing on digestive health should be an important part of every weight management plan.”
“As well as being aware of your diet, many herbs such as senna, psyllium, dandelion, peppermint and buckthorn, have a strong, trusted heritage in naturally aiding and assisting digestive health.”
In the new research it showed that diet is blamed by most people as the main cause of poor digestive health. The vast majority also change their diet in a bid to relieve symptoms.
This includes avoiding or cutting back on:
- · Carbonated drinks 16.3%
- · Salt 9.1%
- · Fatty foods 15.4%
- · Dairy 9.6%
- · Ready meals and takeaways 11.5%
- · Rich or spicy foods 10.9%
Most of us Brits, prefer however, to remedy our digestive health issues ourselves than speak to a doctor. The research shows that over half of sufferers have never discussed their digestive difficulties with their GP, and of those who had, only one in ten was offered advice. 61.3% of those who had spoken with their GP felt that their GP either didn’t take them seriously, were not that bothered about the issue or gave the impression they were wasting their time. Therefore, most of us turn to lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise.
Tagged in Health Nutrition Diet Healthy eating Healthy Gut weight