Digestive Bitters a Comprehensive Guide:
What are Digestive Bitters?
Why are Bitter Herbs Good for Digestion?
What are the Most Common Bitter Herbs?
How Do Digestive Bitters Work?
Why Should I Take Digestive Bitters?
What are Digestive Bitters Good For?
Can Bitters Replace Antacid?
Why Are Digestive Bitters Better than Antacid?
Bitters as a Cocktail Replacement?
Is There Any Reason Not to Take Digestive Bitters?
How to Take Digestive Bitters.
How Much Digestive Bitters Should I Take?
When Should I Take Digestive Bitters?
Are Bitters with CBD Any Good?
What are Digestive Bitters?
Bitter herbs are normally eaten in salads to improve digestion, and the essence and benefits of these herbs can also be captured and used in a liquid state. This herb-infused liquid is what is commonly referred to as ‘bitters’. Along with the bitter herbs, other aromatic herbs and spices are added to enhance the flavor, fragrance and balance of the bitters while complementing the digestive effects.
Why are Bitter Herbs Good for Digestion?
The taste of bitter stimulates nerves in the mouth that cause a chain reaction of digestion related events in the body. It causes the brain to release the digestive hormone, gastrin which stimulates the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. Bitter tastes also regulate the secretion of other pancreatic hormones that regulate blood sugar and insulin.
What are the Most Common Bitter Herbs?
Many different bitter herbs have been used across the world for centuries to promote digestive health. Dandelion, Gentian, Chamomile, Peppermint, Wormwood, Yarrow, Burdock, Artichoke Leaf, and Angelica Root being very common. There are dozens of bitter herbs with a wide array of digestive benefits. For example, in a recent scientific study, Gentian and wormwood were found to prevent and relieve indigestion.
How Do Digestive Bitters Work?
Bitters have absorbed the essence of the bitter herbs and aromatics infused into them so they work in the same way that consuming bitter herbs works. In basic terms, the bitter taste makes your stomach release more gastric juices which improves digestion and nutrient absorption.
Why Should I Take Digestive Bitters?
It is becoming clearer that the gut is the center of good health. If you want good health you must cultivate a healthy gut. Gut health can be improved immensely by including bitter herbs in your diet but it can be difficult to get enough of these herbs in meals. Bitters are a portable and convenient way to get the digestive benefits of consuming bitter herbs whether at home or when eating out. You should take bitters for better digestion because that improves overall health in the body. Bitters can be taken as a quick remedy for common digestive issues. There is also evidence bitters can regulate appetite and ease sugar cravings.
What are Digestive Bitters Good For?
Bitters are often taken for gas, heartburn, cramping, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. Bitters can be used as a quick remedy for eating too much greasy food or any time you might normally reach for an antacid. Bitters can also ease sugar cravings, boost the immune system and even ease stress. Bitter melon is used in India, Asia and South America to treat diabetes by lowering blood glucose and aiding the release and use of insulin. This ties into the studies that have shown bitter herbs regulate appetite.
Can Bitters Replace Antacid?
From time to time, most of us eat too much of our favorite dish or indulge in something hard for our bodies to digest. Fried and/or greasy is a common culprit for some while for others it’s something grain heavy like bread or pasta. When we overconsume or eat food that is hard to digest many reach for an antacid. Antacid quickly eases the symptoms of discomfort but bitters can do the job better and healthier by boosting the digestive system rather than repressing it. So yes, bitters can replace antacids.
Why Are Digestive Bitters Better than Antacid?
When you have heartburn or indigestion, your stomach actually needs more acid not less. Like many prescription medications, antacids only treat the symptoms and not the root of the problem. Antacids mask the real problem (a lack of acid) and in doing so they make the condition chronic and create antacid dependence. This is why prescription antacids like prilosec and prevacid are now a part of daily life for many people. Antacids are not good because by decreasing stomach acid, digestion is hindered and that inhibits nutrient absorption. On top of that, antacids are shown to weaken bones and increase the risk of food poisoning.
Bitters as a Cocktail Replacement
Adding bitters to plain sparkling water is a great cocktail replacement when you want a special beverage before, during, or after dinner but don’t want alcohol or sugar. I personally have a sodastream that I barely used until I discovered bitters. Now I often add 2-3 droppers of cbd bitters to about 12 ounces of water and enjoy it with dinner. In my 20s I would have had a beer and in my 30s and 40s it would have been wine, but now in my 50s I love my ‘bitters water.’ So even if you have a healthy gut and never need digestive help, you could still give bitters a shot at replacing alcohol or other less healthy drinks from time to time.
Is There Any Reason Not to Take Digestive Bitters?
Fortunately, there are few health conditions that would prevent one from consuming some specific bitter herbs. For instance, Dandelion in higher amounts than those found in food is not recommended in children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also any bitters that increase bile production, like artichoke, should not be taken by people with bile duct occlusion or gallstones.
How to Take Digestive Bitters.
The magic effect of bitters comes from the bitter taste. Many people use a dropper to apply bitters directly to the tongue. Others might find that a bit too intense and instead dilute the bitters into a small amount of water. Others like me who really enjoy the taste use several dropperfuls in a large glass of sparkling water or other liquid.
How Much Digestive Bitters Should I Take?
How much bitters to take depends on the strength of the bitters and how you are taking them. If used directly on the tongue, maybe only a half dropperful. If diluted in water then usually around 1-3 dropperfuls. The exact dosage will vary depending on how much liquid you are diluting the bitters in so experiment to find what you like. Start with a smaller amount and then increase as needed.
When Should I Take Digestive Bitters?
For digestion, consumption of bitters should occur around mealtime. Any time from 10-15 minutes prior to eating to 10-15 minutes after is probably best. How often you take them is up to you. If you use bitters at low doses as part of a daily routine, you may find that you don’t need it at mealtimes. You can also take bitters any time you want to ease sugar cravings between meals. The bottom line is, anytime is a good time for bitters.
Are Bitters with CBD Any Good?
Bitters with CBD are great because CBD provides additional gut health benefits. CBD supports homeostasis throughout the body and there is evidence in particular that CBD supports the gut microbiome. Adding CBD to bitters complements their digestive health benefits and makes the bitters even powerful in their ability to heal and promote gut health. So bitters with CBD are more than just good, they are much better!
