Herbs and Spices You Can Use to Improve Digestion When Cooking at Your Gainesville Apartment

Everyone enjoys a flavorful meal, but even consuming the best-tasting foods can often lead to unpleasant after effects as anyone who’s experienced digestion problems can attest. Some foods, like beans, will release gases when they break down in the stomach, which can lead to bloating, while high levels of acid and capsaicin from citrus and spicy peppers can cause heartburn and digestive irritation. These side effects can take a lot of fun out of many otherwise delicious meals, but fortunately there are many delicious herbs and spices that can be used to mitigate these effects while adding delicious flavors to your dishes.

A few popular herbs and spices you can use that are believed to aid in digestion include:

• Ginger – One of the most widely known herbal remedies, this root has been used to treat nausea and prevent diarrhea for centuries. It can be mixed into many dishes as a powder in small amounts with limited changes to taste, or used raw where it will bring a distinctly fruity and spicy flavor to your meals. Slices of pickled ginger are also a common complement to many dishes, especially sushi, as it can both cleanse the pallet between courses and aid digestion.
• Mints – While ginger has a spicy flavor, mint leaves bring a sharp, cooling flavor to dishes, and often make an excellent complement to red meats or pork when made into a sauce or chutney. It can soothe the intestinal tract after rich meals and can also reduce gas and indigestion. Peppermint is one of the most potent varieties, while spearmint can be used for a milder effect.
• Turmeric – This bright yellow powder made from a dried root is one of the most common components in Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines. Its anti-inflammatory effects can help soothe indigestion and gas associated with spicy foods. Many studies have suggested that regular consumption of turmeric also may help protect against a wide range of diseases from colon cancer to Alzheimer’s.
• Fennel – Chewing raw fennel seeds after a meal is a popular way to cleanse the palette, but the chemicals released in the process can also help prevent gas build-up and heartburn. While cooked fennel stalks and root are also popular foods, they contain much less of the carminative chemicals than the seeds and will not produce as strong of an effect.

So, the next time you’re cooking a spicy, sour, or rich meal in your Gainesville apartment, try using a couple of these ingredients to help calm your stomach and make the experience more enjoyable. And if you’re looking for a new luxury apartment with a spacious kitchen, contact Bellamay Grand to find out more about the units we have available.