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A well-functioning digestive system can make a big
difference to your quality of life. Here’s how to keep
things in balance.
Your digestive system
The human digestive system is made up of the digestive
tract, the salivary glands, liver, stomach, gall bladder
and pancreas. The digestive tract is a long tube which
breaks down food and enables nutrients to be absorbed
into the body for energy, growth and repair.
The keys to digestive health
Dietary fibre is essential for maintaining a healthy
digestive system and is obtained solely from foods of
plant origin. It comes in two main types: soluble fibre
and insoluble fibre.
Soluble fibre
Soluble fibre slows the breakdown of starches into
glucose, which in turn can lead to reduced levels of
sugar in the blood. Soluble fibre can also help reduce
cholesterol levels. Good sources: whole grains such as
oats, barley, and rye; fruit, vegetables, legumes.
Insoluble fibre
This type of fibre is not digested or absorbed
by the body, so it helps keep the gastrointestinal tract
clean and promotes regular bowel movements. Good
sources: brown rice, wholemeal bread, whole-grain
cereals, nuts, seeds.
Fibre-rich foods increase the feeling of fullness after
a meal, which can help with weight control. Your total
fibre intake should be at least 25g per day, depending
on your age and gender. For men it is at least 30g. Most
adult Australians obtain less fibre from their food
intake than they need each day.
Breads in the Bodhi's range which will help
maintain good digestive balance:
Lupin bread
Sprouted bread
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