The Wonders of Digestive Bitters: A lost part of many of our diets
With the sugar season behind us, we can focus on getting back on track. December is particularly bad. But in general, we are sugar-holics and have a culture that is deficient in bitters.
When I was young, I went to a wedding in Italy. We ate many courses, and somewhere between the fourth and fifth course, we stopped for a digestive drink which was a very bitter liquor called Fernet-branca. It was to aid in the abundance of our feast and help us get through the next several courses. I remember the drink because it was so intensely bitter. It is a secret recipe made of bitter herbs and mint. I’m not selling Fernet branca here, but I am selling the idea of bitters.
Bitters are a lost part of so many of our diets.
They are complex in their actions and important to help with digestion. They stimulate the release of gastric juices and hormones that support digestion, reduce bacterial overgrowth, improve movement of food stuff through the digestive tract, lower blood sugar and can help satiety.
In fact, taking bitters can reduce a person’s cravings for sugar and slow gastric emptying, making a person feel more satisfied with what they’ve eaten. They work on several hormones involved in appetite such as glucagon like peptide, and ghrelin. They have properties like the GLP-1 agonist drugs for weight loss and diabetes, but without the long term side effects.
Many of the cells in our digestive tracts have receptors on them for bitters not just our taste buds. Therefore, the bitter substances can act on many levels in supporting digestive health.
Adding a few drops with each meal can help with digestion and satiation and stimulate bowel movements. They are not appropriate for someone with an acute gastrointestinal inflammation or ulcers. Start slow… a few drops… and increase your dosage over time. Many people come to enjoy bitters as they adjust to the flavor.
There are many bitter supplements on the market but it is important to taste the bitters in your mouth, where they start to stimulate the effects downstream.
Gentian, Oregon grape, golden seal, Sweet wormwood are all excellent bitters. You can probably find a combination of a number of these in a product at your local health food store.
They are something to help with your New Year’s Resolutions. Cheers!
Dr. Jennifer Means welcomes you for Primary Care for the whole family: Nutrition, IV Therapy, Naturopathy, and Acupuncture. Contact us at 503-641-6400.
