The normal process of digestion involves food being broken down into smaller parts by gastric acid, enzymes and the movement of smooth muscle. Nutrients are then absorbed and the parts of food that are not useful to the body are then excreted as urine or feces.
Low levels of gastric acid can result in symptoms such as; bloating after meals, flatulence and nausea. These symptoms are often a sign that the body is having trouble digesting food properly. The undigested food can stay in the digestive system of a person with low gastric acid where it ferments and produces gas. Low production of gastric acid is often seen in patients who have been taking antacid medication over a long period of time and reduced gastric acid production often occurs as a natural part of the ageing process in some people.
If food eaten is not being digested properly there may be an increased risk of a person not absorbing the nutrients which are necessary for all bodily functions. Nutritional deficiencies may result in a number of symptoms including tiredness, poor wound healing, irritability and recurring infections, etc.
Apple Cider Vinegar is a traditional remedy that is used to help stimulate digestion. Recent studies have shown that acetic acid helps to stop gastric acid from leaving the stomach and this may assist with the breaking down of food in the stomach. Acetic acid can also increase the number of abdominal contractions in some people, which are needed to move food through the digestive tracts of the body.
