Foods that contain natural digestive enzymes

If you're feeling bloated and looking for some natural ways to ease your stomach, check these foods that contain natural digestive enzymes.

 

Pineapple contains bromelain, which aids in protein digestion. In addition to avoiding foods that are taxing on the body and taking digestive medicines for stomach upset, eating foods that contain natural digestive enzymes can help improve digestion.

Let's find out which foods contain natural digestive enzymes that help digestion, introduced by 'Eatingwell', an American health information media.


Foods that contain natural digestive enzymes

Pineapple 

Pineapple contains bromelain, which aids in protein digestion. Like other digestive enzymes, bromelain is heat sensitive, so eating raw pineapple is the best way to increase your intake. Try grinding pineapple into a smoothie, dicing it into a salad, or using it as a meat tenderizer.


Avocado

If you have stomach upset after eating a greasy meal, try eating an avocado. Lipase in avocado is an enzyme that breaks down fat. Avocados are very easy to use in many dishes. You can add it to your morning smoothie, cut it into small pieces and put it on a salad, or make avocado toast.


Banana 

Known for being rich in potassium, bananas also contain enzymes such as amylase and maltase. Amylase helps break down complex carbohydrates in bread and cereals, and maltase helps break down maltose in carbohydrate foods such as grains and vegetables with a high starch content. Try eating it over cereal or oatmeal, or eating a banana when you feel like a snack.



Mango 

Like bananas, mangoes contain mylanase, which helps your body break down starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules that are easier to absorb. It can be cut into small pieces and eaten as a snack or added to a salad.




Papaya 

The enzyme papain in papaya helps break down protein. It can be destroyed by heat, so eat it raw. Serve as a side dish, or slice and add to a salad or smoothie.


Raw honey 

Above all, honey contains digestive enzymes called diastases, invertases, and proteases. They help break down starch, sugar, and protein, respectively. Therefore, eating raw honey is very helpful for digestion. If you buy processed honey, heat is often applied during processing, which can destroy beneficial enzymes. You can sprinkle it on toast or put it in yogurt or oatmeal for a sweeter taste.


Kefir 

Kefir, which is fermented milk of cows or goats, is basically fermented milk with yeast culture bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria added. Kefir contains lipase that breaks down fat, lactase that breaks down lactose, and protease that breaks down protein. You can drink it straight away, or mix it into oatmeal or smoothies.


Ginger 

Ginger not only contains an enzyme called zingibain that helps digest protein, but it can also help increase the production of digestive enzymes in the body. Ginger also has the effect of relieving nausea. Ginger can be drunk as a tea, added to stir-fries, or grated and added to citrus drinks.