12 Best Nutritional Drinks That Help Digestion

1. Water

As one of the most efficient drinks to help with digestion, drinking water during or after a meal helps the body break down and digest the food. Water helps in the absorption of nutrients and softens stool which helps prevent constipation. 

2. Lemon Water 

Lemon adds flavor to your otherwise boring warm water. Lemon has an abundance of vitamin C, soluble fibers, and antioxidants such as polyphenols that help improve skin, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve digestion. 

3. Kombucha Tea

Also known as mushroom tea, it is considered a great source of probiotics and promotes healthy gut bacteria. Kombucha tea is a fermented drink with tea, sugar, yeast, and bacteria. 

While there is not much scientific evidence supporting its health benefits, Kombucha has been the talk of the town for years! In fact, in the United States, sales of this fizzy sweet and sour drink have been steadily increasing year after year with no signs of slowing down.  

4. Cranberry Juice 

Not only do they add a sweet, tart flavor to both savory and sweet foods, but cranberries also help put good bacteria back into your digestive system. According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, cranberries can improve gut bacteria in animal-based diets. 

5. Teas

Did you know tea is arguably the second most widely enjoyed beverage globally, only behind water? 

There are many popular teas touted by health and wellness enthusiasts as effective gut health drinks. Some of these are - 

• Green Tea

The unfermented leaves contain many antioxidants, which help detox the body and improve digestion. 

• Dandelion Tea

Dandelion leaves are used for arthritis, gout, gastric headaches, edema, skin ailments, and detoxification. The high inulin content makes dandelion root a good food source for good gut bacteria. 

• Turmeric Tea

Starbucks brought Turmeric tea and latte back in style, but our grandparents have been sipping this golden milk beverage since way back when. Turmeric contains curcumin, a bioactive substance that has anti-inflammatory properties and treats gastrointestinal diseases.  

• Ginger Tea

Drinking warm ginger tea during or before a big meal can enhance digestive health and reduce the chance of heartburn, stomachache, and indigestion. The ginger root stimulates saliva flow, bile, and gastric juice production, which jump-starts the breakdown of food.

6. Dark, Raw Hot Chocolate 

Hey chocolate lovers! Great news! Hot chocolate can do wonders for your health, that is, if you choose the right chocolate. 

Milk chocolates are loaded with sugar and can spike blood sugar levels. So, the next time you crave hot cocoa, use dark chocolate instead. It is a natural prebiotic and contains tryptophan, an amino acid precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that uplifts the mood and makes you feel happy. 

Dark chocolate has flavanols which slow down carb digestion and reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.

7. Watermelon Juice 

Fiber and water are the keys to keeping your digestive system happy, and it seems as though Watermelon has cracked the code. 

Along with its high water content, watermelon contains a small amount of fiber and powerful antioxidants. But wait! There’s more! It also provides a good serving of vitamins A and C; these nutrients help make your gut healthy and help boost your immune system. 

8. Parsley Juice 

Parsley is a Mediterranean herb used in many recipes and is also used as a popular garnishment for food.   But parsley does more than beautify your dish. Drinking parsley juice can decrease the risk of several types of cancers, such as prostate, skin, and breast. 

The high amount of bioflavonoids and folate promotes cardiovascular health. It also protects your body from conditions such as asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and colon cancer, to name a few.

9. Coconut Water 

Any list of digestive aids is incomplete without mentioning the holy grail of hydration: coconut water! High active nutrients and minerals like manganese make it one of the most hydrating drinks in the world. According to an old study by the International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, it may also help promote heart health. The potassium in coconut helps reduce blood pressure and the risk of developing serious health diseases.

10. Kefir

Like Kombucha tea, Kefir is a fermented drink that is a staple food in many cultures around the globe and has become very popular amongst health communities. 

Kefir is high in nutrients and probiotics and benefits gut and digestive health. It also helps treat digestive concerns such as diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.

11. Holy Basil Tea (Tulsi)

In Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems, holy basil is known as "the queen of herbs" and is used to treat many conditions, such as fever, cough, arthritis, and ringworm. A National Library of Medicine study suggests that holy basil is an effective treatment for lifestyle-related chronic diseases, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and psychological stress.

12. Coffee

Your morning brew gives you a jolt of caffeine and acts as a stimulant for your digestive tract. Coffee gets you going in more than one way. It helps with digestion, decreases the chances of type 2 diabetes, and lowers the risk of depression.