A healthy gut for everyone in the Netherlands
Dutch Digestive Health Fund works toward a healthy gut for everyone. We do this by making scientific research possible, devising new solutions for care and providing reliable information.
Health starts in your gut
Your gut is the foundation of your health. Good digestion affects your whole body – from your energy to your immune system. So take good care of your gut and if you have complaints, take them seriously.
Healthy food
Your body needs a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, as little stress as possible, and enough sleep. This allows your digestive system and gut microbiome to function properly.
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Exercise
In addition to nutrition, exercise is also good for your gut. Getting enough exercise helps keep your body healthy. Whether it’s walking, cycling, running or swimming, choose a form that suits you and that you enjoy. It helps digestion run more smoothly. Exercise supports the blood flow to the intestines. It stimulates the squeezing and pushing motion of the intestines, causing food to move further through the intestines. This improves the absorption of nutrients and the removal of waste products.
Are you not getting enough exercise?
Then your intestines may start to work more slowly. This can lead to constipation. The reverse is also true. Getting enough exercise can prevent constipation. Moreover, exercise appears to have a positive effect against bowel cancer and conditions such as intestinal diverticulosis.
Relaxation
Your body needs to relax. Stress can disrupt the digestive system. You will recognise this when you are very nervous or tense. Try to make time for relaxation. Get enough sleep and do fun things. Your body recovers during moments of inaction.
Are you getting enough sleep?
Getting enough sleep is also good for your digestion. We recharge our batteries at night and process all the stimuli and impressions of the day. Getting enough sleep also stimulates the hunger-suppressing hormone leptin. Those who sleep poorly become less sensitive to it. This may also explain why you sometimes feel like having that unhealthy snack after a bad night’s sleep.
