More . . . Digestive Enzymes

If you are beginning with the investigation of digestive enzymes today, make sure you also read the previous blog on this topic. Today we are going to look at an additional four enzyme rich foods which enhance wellness for everyone, but especially persons with cancer, auto-immune disease or disorder or metabolic illness.
5. Bananas contain natural digestive enzymes, amylases & glucosidases, two groups of enzymes which break down complex carbs like starch into smaller and more easily absorbed sugars. Like mangoes (discussed in the previous blog), these enzymes break down starch into sugars as bananas start to ripen. That’s why ripe yellow bananas are much sweeter than unripe green bananas. In addition to being a tremendous source of potassium, bananas are a great source of dietary fiber, which often aids in digestive health. A medium banana (118 grams) provides 3.1 grams of fiber (daily recommended intake – women 21 to 25 grams – men 30 to 38 grams). An evidenced-based study of female participants examined the connection between eating bananas and the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Women who ate two medium bananas per day experienced a modest rise in healthy gut bacteria. They also experienced significantly less bloating than participants who did not eat the bananas. 6. Avocados, unlike other fruits, are unique in that they are high in healthy fats AND low in sugar. They contain the digestive enzyme lipase which helps digest fat molecules into smaller molecules, such as fatty acids and glycerol. *These are easier for the body to absorb. *Lipase is also made by your pancreas, so you may not need to get it from your diet unless you have pancreatic complications, injury, disease (including cancer). However, taking a lipase supplement can help ease digestive issues, especially after a high-fat meal. Avocados also contain polyphenol oxidase, which is responsible for turning green avocados brown in the presence of oxygen. 7. Kefir is a fermented milk beverage that is popular in the natural health community and some parts of the Middle East. It is made by adding kefir “grains” to milk. These “grains” are actually cultures of yeast, lactic acid bacteria & acetic acid bacteria *which resemble cauliflower and allowing the liquid to ferment. During fermentation, bacteria digest the natural sugars in milk & convert them into *organic acids & carbon dioxide. This process creates conditions that which aide in bacterial growth adding nutrients, enzymes and other beneficial compounds. Kefir contains many digestive enzymes, including lipase, proteases and lactase, which aids the digestion of lactose, a sugar in milk that is difficult to digest for many people. An evidenced-based study found that kefir improves lactose digestion in people with lactose intolerance. 8. Sauerkraut is a type of fermented cabbage that has a distinctly sour taste. The fermentation process also adds digestive enzymes, which makes eating sauerkraut a great way to increase your intake of digestive enzymes. In addition to containing digestive enzymes, sauerkraut is also considered a delicious food! Evidenced-based studies have shown that consuming probiotics can often ease digestive symptoms, such as bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea & stomach pain, in both healthy adults and those with IBS, Crohn’s disease &/or ulcerative colitis. Make sure you eat fresh, raw or unpasteurized sauerkraut rather than “cooked” sauerkraut. High temperatures may deactivate its digestive enzymes.

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