The excesses of the festive season can be hard on the gastrointestinal system of even the healthiest of people. For those with underlying gut issues, such as IBS, the post-Christmas period can bring heightened levels of discomfort and renewed commitment to restoring their digestive health.

Reducing inflammation and rebalancing gut flora will help to alleviate bloating and restore regularity. A simple diet of soft, easily digested, mostly cooked foods is easy to adhere to and much less daunting than any restrictive ‘detox’ or cleanse that they may be tempted to embark on. Using digestive supplements can also help to restore balance.

Digestive enzymes may help to alleviate heartburn, reduce bloating and other symptoms of poor digestion. Those containing alpha galactosidase are particularly beneficial for aiding digestion of galactans, the gas-forming polysaccharide found in legumes and cruciferous vegetables. Research has shown that probiotics can help to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation.

Clients can be encouraged to consume fermented foods such as sauerkraut, yogurt and kefir and/or take a probiotic supplement on a regular basis. Historically, herbs and spices have been used to restore digestive balance and modern research attests to these benefits. Ginger is perhaps one of the best known botanicals for supporting digestive health. Several controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ginger as an anti-emetic. It exerts a carminative effect, which helps to break up and expel intestinal gas and in turn may help with nausea and bloating associated with over eating. Ginger is also protective for the stomach lining and may increase the secretion of bile from the gallbladder, thereby supporting fat digestion. Cardamom and turmeric are from the same family as ginger and are also supportive for alleviating digestive distress. Fennel contains anethole, a compound which has been found to reduce smooth muscle spasm and act as a carminative. All of these herbs and spices can be used in cooking or as teas, but are also found as botanical supplements. Finally, the importance of stress management for dealing with digestive symptoms cannot be understated.

The festive season itself is a source of stress and clients should be advised that managing stress and supporting healthy digestion are closely intertwined.