Do the “digestif” drinks on the dessert menu actually aid digestion?

Especially in Europe, people have been enjoying digestifs for hundreds of years. “Typically served in small portions of up to 1 to 2 ounces, it is thought to help the body meet the digestive demands of large meals,” says the Seattle-based management, which focuses on gut health. Nutritionist Daniel Venhuzein told Well. +That’s nice.

Although there isn’t a ton of research to support this, some after-meal drinks may help the gastrointestinal tract process the meal. Here are some notes to consider.

Does Digestif help digestion?

First of all, your body has already set up the digestive process, which begins the moment food enters your mouth and saliva begins to be secreted. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), by the time chewed food reaches the stomach, digestive enzymes and stomach acids are primed to break down the food into smaller pieces before being sent to the small intestine. He says he is waiting. ).

Eating a big, rich meal can slow this process down by giving your stomach acid more food (and usually fat) to pass through. It is believed that this is where sake comes into play. Some of these digestifs contain a substance called. bitter compound1. Research has shown that it promotes the production of saliva in the mouth, thereby increases gastric outputDigestive enzymes and juice. This process may help the stomach break down food more efficiently, especially when the amount of food is large, VenHuizen says.

Unfortunately, so far, research on this process is limited and has focused only on bitter compounds rather than those present in after-dinner liqueurs and mixed drinks. “There is no evidence that post-meal liqueurs aid digestion,” says Venhuizen.

Older studies have shown that when compared to other digestive methods such as an after-dinner walk, did not affect rate3 When food passes through a person’s stomach. (Walking, on the other hand, encouraged food to move through the gastrointestinal tract faster.)

Additionally, some alcoholic beverages may not be good for digestion. “Alcohol in general can irritate the esophagus, which can affect symptoms of reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Bitter foods also stimulate the production of stomach acid, which can cause stomach and chest irritation in some people. Reflux symptoms like burning pain, sore throat, or difficulty swallowing may increase, says VenHuizen.

Bottom line: It’s unclear whether bitter food drinks help digestion much. But if alcohol doesn’t cause acid reflux or other unwanted symptoms, it may be worth trying a small amount (sometimes) after dinner.

Tips for enjoying a digestif

Venhuizen says it’s usually okay to enjoy a drink after a meal, as long as the alcohol doesn’t upset your stomach or cause heartburn. Please keep in mind the following: She says:

Choose one that has a strong bitter taste. Sweet after-meal drinks (such as port or mulled wine) typically don’t contain bitter compounds, so Venhuizen points out that they don’t have any potential digestive benefits. Bitter tasting options such as Campari, Amaro, and Peychaud are more likely to have the desired effect. (Aperol Spritz, anyone?) Please bring a small amount. Limit your drinks to about 1 ounce of liqueur. VenHuizen says that ingesting more than this is not only unnecessary for digestion, but in large quantities it can irritate the lining of the intestines and affect the intestinal environment. intestinal microbiota4 (also known as the balance of good and bad bacteria living in your intestines). Drink immediately after meals. Venhuizen advises not to drink it for too long, as drinking it close to a meal can further improve digestion.

Other ways to improve digestion after meals

There are also some ways to support your digestion without having to drink alcohol at night after a big meal. Below are some options to try.

Choose non-alcoholic bitters. Bitter agents that are good for digestion are usually ginger, dandelion root, gentian5. Burdock, juniper, orange peel. “Dosages vary, but a good rule of thumb is to add 1/2 teaspoon to 2 to 4 ounces of water and take a sip after a meal,” Venhuizen recommends. We recommend trying Urban Moonshine Citrus Bitters ($28) or St. Francis Herb Farm Digestive Bitters ($33, Amazon). I drink ginger tea. Warm and spicy tea is a VenHuizen favorite. “Ginger helps with intestinal motility and may help improve gut health due to its abundance of antioxidants,” she says. Peel the fresh ginger, slice it thinly, and soak it in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Try Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger Tea ($5). Would you like to take a walk? Walking (or moving your body in general) after meals also helps move food through your digestive tract, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels.