Love the idea of smoothies but hate how bloated you feel afterwards? This post is for you...
Smoothies are a good go-to if you're looking for healthy snack options. You can pack a multitude of "good stuff" into one glass, and even the green stuff tastes good when blended with a handful of berries or a couple of medjool dates... perfect for busy, on-the-go lifestyles looking for simple ways of incorporating more plants into their every day... and all with the flick of a switch... what's not to like, right?
And then the big bloat happens and you feel like giving up? Stop! Let me explain what's happening.
Digestion happens in a number of different stages, each of which require specific enzymes to be activated. Enzymes are chemicals that break food into simpler substances so they can be absorbed into the cells of the body. This process begins in the mouth. Chewing not only physically breaks food down into smaller pieces, making it easier for the stomach to work on, but it also stimulates salivary glands to release an enzyme called amylase which is an important first-stage enzyme in the breakdown of carbohydrates. When we skip the chewing action these enzymes are not released, disrupting the digestive process, which in turn has a knock on effect on subsequent stages of digestion manifesting itself as the bloating associated with drinking smoothies.
The fix is simple.... Chew your smoothie - the chewing action ensures the right enzymes are released at the right time. Try it and let me know in the comments if you feel better after your next smoothie :)