Six (surprising) foods for healthy digestion

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a bunch of stories on stomach issues, meaning I’m suddenly knee-deep all kinds of doctor-approved advice about everything from bloating to IBS. Maybe it’s because digestive problems are so universal (everybody has some kind of issue at some point, after all) but I’m finding the whole process fascinating. In light of that, I’m kicking the week off by posting a few foods that either hadn’t been on my good-for-digestion radar at all before or about which I learned something extra and unexpected. Some of them are pretty fun…

*Chamomile: Known for its soothing properties, chamomile is often used as a relaxant for symptoms of IBS. It also contains a set of compounds known as sesquiterpenes that have anti-inflammatory effects and can help soothe an irritated stomach lining.

*Olive oil: Spanish scientists recently found that virgin olive oil could knock out eight different strains of the ulcer and the stomach cancer-causing bug H. pylori. The researchers credit the oil’s high levels of polyphenols; these kinds of antioxidants are believed to have strong antibacterial properties.

*Broccoli: After noticing that ulcer patients who started eating more broccoli seemed to improve faster than others, researchers at Johns Hopkins University launched a study of the vegetable. It turns out that broccoli contains a compound called sulforaphane, which works like an antibiotic against the ulcer-causing bacteria H. pylori (and even successfully eradicating antibiotic-resistant strains). A second Japanese study found that 2.5 ounces a day seemed to help protect against the bacterium.

*Peppermint: It’s been prescribed for stomach woes–from nausea to diarrhea since the days of ancient Egypt. According to studies, it seems to relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, easing those symptoms. A recent German review found that 180-200 mg capsules (coated, to ease stomach irritation) eased pain, bloating, and gas in 58% percent of takers.

*Flax: When taken with water, flax has a double benefit: It helps bulk the stool and it feeds the stomach’s “friendly” bacteria.

*Licorice: Studies show licorice delivers a double dose of benefit. Not only does it have anti-inflammatory properties that help suppress the effects of stress hormones on the stomach, it’s also rich in flavonoids, which have been shown to help heal digestive tract cells and kill ulcer-causing bacteria.