Digestive Health
Digestion is the process of breaking down food into nutrients, such as vitamins, proteins and fats, so that they are more easily absorbed. The digestive system involves organs (mouth, gullet, stomach, intestines) and glands (salivary glands, liver, gall bladder and pancreas). Digestive problems, e.g. changed or abnormal digestion, encompass a wide range of conditions; they vary in their severity and cause, and may depend on the part of the digestive system involved. Most conditions occur in the intestines. These are often caused by bacteria or are related to food intake (e.g. allergies). Common symptoms include abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, indigestion and heartburn. Severe conditions include Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Syndromes (e.g. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers and Celiac disease.
Dietary fibres are the most common alternative, either sold as food supplements or used in functional food. Alongside botanical sources (e.g. algae), a variety of fruits are also popular. Examples include plums, figs, dates and apricots. Additionally, health claims have been authorised for several grain fibres (e.g. rye, oat grain, barley and wheat bran fibres), which producers can include in their marketing.
Digestion is the process of breaking down food into nutrients, such as vitamins, proteins and fats, so that they are more easily absorbed. The digestive system involves organs (mouth, gullet, stomach, intestines) and glands (salivary glands, liver, gall bladder and pancreas). Digestive problems, e.g. changed or abnormal digestion, encompass a wide range of conditions; they vary in their severity and cause, and may depend on the part of the digestive system involved. Most conditions occur in the intestines. These are often caused by bacteria or are related to food intake (e.g. allergies). Common symptoms include abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, indigestion and heartburn. Severe conditions include Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Syndromes (e.g. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers and Celiac disease.
Dietary fibres are the most common alternative, either sold as food supplements or used in functional food. Alongside botanical sources (e.g. algae), a variety of fruits are also popular. Examples include plums, figs, dates and apricots. Additionally, health claims have been authorised for several grain fibres (e.g. rye, oat grain, barley and wheat bran fibres), which producers can include in their marketing.
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