A Better Digestive System
The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract—also called the GI tract or digestive tract—and the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The GI tractis a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. The hollow organs that make up the GI tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are the solid organs of the digestive system.
The small intestine has three parts. The first part is called the duodenum. The jejunum is in the middle and the ileum is at the end. The large intestine includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum. The appendix is a finger-shaped pouch attached to the cecum. The cecum is the first part of the large intestine. The colon is next. The rectum is the end of the large intestine. Bacteria in your GI tract, also called gut flora or microbiome, help with digestion. Parts of your nervous and circulatory NIH external link systems also help. Working together, nerves, hormones, bacteria, blood, and the organs of your digestive system digest the foods and liquids you eat or drink each day.
PRUNE JUICE
Prunes are dried plums that harness laxative qualities. Though that is the most well known benefit, additional uses for treatment are high blood pressure
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Diabetes
- Digestion
- Constipation
Drinking half a cup or one cup first thing in the morning can help to stimulate digestion. If constipation is mild to severe, a second cup 30 minutes to an hour after a meal may be beneficial. If you’re looking to lose weight or curb cravings, prunes will help you feel full longer.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Trusted Source, one cup of prune juice, equal to 256 grams (g), contains:
- 2.6 g of dietary fiber
- 31 milligrams (mg) of calcium
- 64 mg of phosphorus
- 8.7 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K
- 207.97 g of water
- no cholesterol or trans fats
Prunes are also a source of some important nutrients, including Trusted Source:
- Vitamin A
- B Vitamins
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Phosphorus
- Iron
BEET JUICE
Beet juice contains a rich natural chemical called nitrate. Through this, beet juice may boost stamina to help you exercise longer, improve blood flow, and help lower blood pressure.
One cup of raw beets has 58 calories and 13 grams of carbohydrates. A cup of beet juice is usually around 100 calories and 25 grams of carbohydrates, because of the way it is processed.
Beets are good sources of folate, potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidant, as well as nitrates.
Other good food sources of nitrates include spinach, radishes, lettuce, celery, and Chinese cabbage.
FYI
- Can be used moderately on a daily basis
- Drinking beet juice may make your stool or urine dark red. This is normal.
