The recipe below is from Kimberly Snyder's book "Recipes for Your Perfectly Imperfect Life." Snyder is a nutritionist and the founder of Solluna and the #FeelGoodMovement. She is also a New York Times best-selling author.
Snyder says that maintaining your gut health can promote weight loss. On the other hand, having gut issues can compromise your digestion. Gut problems can also make you "hold" more weight.
Snyder's Belly Feel-Good Smoothie promotes belly health. It includes the following nutrient-rich ingredients.
Aloe vera
Studies suggest that aloe vera reduces the symptoms of leaky gut since it can minimize inflammation in the colon.
Drinking aloe vera juice also helps increase the water content in your intestines. According to research, there is a link between increasing intestinal water content and the stimulation of peristalsis that helps you pass stool normally.
If you’re constipated, incorporate organic aloe vera juice into your meals. This natural remedy will normalize the amount of "good" bacteria in your gut and keep your intestinal flora balanced.
Aloe vera juice is made by crushing the entire leaf of the plant. The liquid is then purified and filtered to produce the juice. The juice contains small amounts of minerals and nutrients like calcium, copper, selenium, sodium, manganese, potassium, and zinc.
Aloe vera juice has a mild, tolerable flavor and is often added to shakes and smoothies. You can purchase the juice online or from health food markets. When you buy aloe vera juice, choose high-quality products that are organic and pure.
Ginger
Ginger has a cleansing and calming effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It improves digestion and prevents nausea. (Related: Improving digestion: 11 gut-friendly foods.)
This yellowish root also helps accelerate gastric emptying by making food move from your stomach to your small intestine more quickly. Additionally, ginger reduces the risk of conditions like heartburn, nausea, and stomach discomfort.
Papaya
Papaya is a tropical fruit that contains papain, a digestive enzyme. During digestion, papain helps break down protein fibers. While this isn't required in your diet, it can promote the digestion of protein.
Papain can also relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) like bloating and constipation. It is often used as the main enzyme in digestive supplements because of its gastrointestinal activities.
Pineapple
Pineapple is a fruit full of bromelain, a digestive enzyme. Bromelain functions like proteases that break down protein molecules into amino acids and small peptides, the building blocks of protein.
After protein molecules are broken down, they are more easily absorbed across your small intestine. This is beneficial for individuals who suffer from pancreatic insufficiency, a condition wherein the pancreas are unable to produce enough digestive enzymes.
In a study published in the journal The BMJ, researchers found that volunteers with pancreatic insufficiency had better digestion after they were given a digestive enzyme supplement containing bromelain.
Belly feel-good smoothie recipe
Instead of buying expensive smoothies at juice bars, you can follow this smoothie recipe at home. Make a batch regularly to maintain gut health and promote weight loss.
This recipe makes enough for two servings of this nutritious and gut healing smoothie.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh papaya (peeled and diced)
- 2 cups fresh pineapple (diced)
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1 1/2 cups coconut water
- 1 tablespoon (tbsp) lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) fresh ginger (peeled and minced)
- 1 tsp aloe juice
- A pinch of sea salt
Steps:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a blender.
- Start the blender on low speed, then slowly increase the speed to high.
- Blend the ingredients for about 45 seconds until smooth.
Exercise regularly, avoid sugary and fatty foods, and follow a balanced diet full of gut healing superfoods to lose weight naturally and boost your digestive health.
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