It is highly likely that you have heard about digestive enzymes. And is that society is increasingly interested in your digestive health. Something completely normal, since if there are strategies to end poor digestion, people want to know what they are.
But what are digestive enzymes? And above all, given their importance, can we do something to achieve them? Is it a question of food? From supplements? Or does the body manufacture them by itself?
What are they for?
The body needs a wide variety of enzymes to be able to carry out its functions correctly, including one of the most important: the digestion of food. In this case they have names like amylase, protease or lipase. Digestive enzymes are produced mainly in the pancreas. But those found in the stomach, intestines, or saliva also play a key role in digestion.
Your intervention is essential to break down carbohydrates, starch, proteins and fat, and thus can be more easily absorbed by the body. If your body stops manufacturing a certain digestive enzyme or is not able to generate enough, one of the consequences is that you cannot digest some foods well.
Foods with natural digestive enzymes
Apparently adding certain foods can help improve digestion. The reason is that they contain digestive enzymes that would be added to those that the body itself already makes naturally.
One of the most popular enzyme-rich foods is pineapple. Associated with numerous health benefits, this tropical fruit also contains an enzyme called bromelain, which has been associated with better protein digestion. It should be noted that pineapple is not the only way to ingest this enzyme, since many can be found on the market No products found..
Mango, for its part, would help break down carbohydrates thanks to its amylase content. Whether it works or not to improve the digestion of carbohydrates (there are people who say it does and others who do not), what is clear is that it does not hurt to try it. Also, it is always a good idea to introduce new fruits into the diet.
But pineapple and mango are not the only foods that would help improve enzyme activity. The following are other foods that research shows are packed with digestive enzymes:
- Avocado
- Sauerkraut
- Ginger
- Kefir
- Kimchi
- Kiwi
- Honey
- miso
- Papaya
- Banana
The raw diet
Some people believe that following a raw diet - a type of vegetarian diet that aims to eat as many raw foods as possible - helps improve digestion. The reason is that cooking degrades the enzymes present in certain foods.
For this same reason, enzymes may stop working properly when there is a rise in body temperature, such as when you have a fever due, for example, to the flu. But don't worry: your enzymes recover when the fever subsides and the body returns to a normal temperature range.
Supplements
Another strategy that is usually followed to increase the amount of enzymes in the body and relieve certain digestive problems is take digestive enzyme supplements. These types of supplements are also credited with other health benefits.
As with all supplements, It is a good idea to consult a doctor before starting to take supplements with digestive enzymes. to find out if there are any potential risks or complications in your case.
Doctors may also include supplements with digestive enzymes in the treatment of patients suffering from diseases that interfere with the normal production of these., including pancreatitis. The objective is to provide enzymes to the body so that the patient does not lose the important ability to absorb nutrients from food.
The detractors
It's important pointing that there are people who assure that it is not necessary to take anything to digest. Based on this view, there is insufficient evidence that adopting a raw diet or taking supplements works to produce any kind of change in enzymes. There are many health professionals who argue that, if the person is healthy, the digestive system is already responsible for producing the necessary digestive enzymes.
They warn that if you have the feeling that something is not working at all well in your digestive system, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor so that he can make a diagnosis instead of trying to solve the problem on your own by taking digestive enzymes and other products. . And remember that persistent digestive problems may be due to the abuse of processed foods. In some cases the reason is lactose intolerance or the development of a disease (such as celiac disease or chronic gastritis), the treatment of which is essential that falls into the hands of health professionals.