Heavy Digestion: Causes and What to Take

Heavy digestion, also known as dyspepsia, can show up in different ways, such as a feeling of fullness, bloating, heartburn, gas or even abdominal pain. In today’s post, we explain the main causes of heavy digestion and what to take to relieve it. Keep reading!

Causes of heavy digestion

Heavy digestion can be caused by many factors, both internal and external, including the following:

1. Poor diet: overeating, eating very fatty, spicy or processed foods can slow down the digestive process and cause discomfort. Excessive consumption of fizzy or alcoholic drinks can also contribute to this problem.
2. Unhealthy habits: eating too quickly, not chewing properly, having dinner late or lying down straight after a meal are habits that make digestion more difficult.
3. Stress and anxiety: the digestive system is closely linked to the nervous system. Stress and anxiety can negatively affect bowel motility and the production of digestive enzymes.
4. Underlying health problems: conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis, gastro-oesophageal reflux or food intolerances can cause recurrent heavy digestion.
5. Imbalance in the gut flora: an imbalanced gut microbiome, due to a diet low in fibre or the use of antibiotics, can cause bloating and, in addition to heavy digestion, gas.

Heavy digestion: what to take?

There are various natural remedies, supplements and lifestyle changes that can help improve your digestion. If you want to know how to ease heavy food and what to take, at Farmaciasdirect we recommend:

1. Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus

This supplement contains high-quality probiotics that help balance the gut flora. Probiotics such as lactobacilli are essential for promoting healthy digestion, especially if heavy digestion is caused by gas or an imbalance in the gut microbiome.

Taking one daily capsule of Solgar Advanced Acdiophilus Plus can improve nutrient absorption and reduce discomfort such as bloating or flatulence.

2. Aboca Aliviolas

Aboca Aliviolas is a natural supplement made from herbs such as senna and fennel. It is designed to support intestinal transit, making it ideal for people who suffer from slow digestion or heaviness associated with constipation.

In addition, its gentle but effective formula stimulates bowel movement without causing irritation.

3. Gavinatura

Gavinatura is another natural product recommended to relieve heavy digestion. This supplement combines ingredients such as aloe vera and calcium carbonate, which help soothe acidity, reduce inflammation and promote comfortable digestion.

And the best part? It is especially useful for people who suffer from heartburn after eating those heavy foods for the stomach.

4. Medicines for heartburn

There are also active ingredients such as sodium alginate or bicarbonate, which help treat symptoms associated with heartburn and reflux, such as burning or discomfort. On the Farmaciasdirect website, in the "Heartburn" category, you can find treatments formulated with these active ingredients, such as Gaviscon Forte in chewable tablet or oral suspension form, as well as Gaviscon in sachets or strawberry- or mint-flavoured chewable tablets, which act as a protective barrier in the stomach to treat indigestion, acidity and heartburn.

Tips to combat heavy digestion

As well as taking supplements such as those mentioned above, it is important to adopt some healthy habits that help improve digestion:

1. Eat slowly and chew well: this simple habit makes the stomach’s job easier and improves nutrient absorption.
2. Avoid large meals: opt for smaller portions and spread your food across several meals a day.
3. Include fibre in your diet: foods rich in fibre, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains, support healthy bowel transit.
4. Stay properly hydrated: drinking enough water helps digestion and prevents constipation.
5. Avoid stress: practising relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation can help keep the digestive system in balance.

And although heavy digestion can usually be relieved with dietary changes and supplements, it is important to watch out for certain symptoms that may indicate a more serious problem, such as:

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Recurring vomiting.
• Blood in the stools.
• Severe bloating that does not improve.

In these cases, and especially if it happens frequently, we recommend visiting a specialist so they can carry out the necessary tests and advise which treatment and habits to follow.