How to detox after food binge

The festive season comes with merry-making and too much food to eat. Some of the foods, however, may cause stomach discomfort. Here are common conditions people experience and how they can be managed.

Sunday, January 05, 2014

The festive season comes with merry-making and too much food to eat. Some of the foods, however, may cause stomach discomfort. Here are common conditions people experience and how they can be managed.Stomach gasDr Norbert Nuwamanya, an internal medicine specialist at Kabale Hospital in Uganda, says this condition can be managed by first taking warm water. Drinking tea that has cinnamon can help as well.Diarrhea Taking yoghurt helps restore the normal microorganisms in the intestines. However, it is advisable to keep away from other dairy products such as milk. Fruit juice other than apple to keep you rehydrated, hot water bottle to relieve the abdominal cramps, soup with a little salt can also be helpful. One can make tea using orange peels and take it when it is cool. Ordinary tea can also be helpful since it has substances called tannins that have anti-diarrhea effects. Constipation Taking tea with cinnamon gives laxative effects. Coffee has the same effect as tea. ’Alternatively, you can take lukewarm, mildly concentrated tea with a lot of sugar, or take honey mixed in warm water. Eating at least two ripe bananas after every meal prevents one from getting constipated. But if the constipation already exists, then increasing your intake of these foods would be helpful.Heartburn Put one tablespoon of baking soda in half-cup of water and drink. Also, taking aloe vera juice could help. Chewing gum after meals is equally important as it increases saliva production which eventually reduces the level of acid.