11. Kiwifruit
The kiwifruit is an edible berry that is often recommended to ease digestion
It’s a great source of digestive enzymes, particularly a protease called actinidain. This enzyme helps digest proteins and is commercially used to tenderize tough meats
Additionally, kiwifruit contains many other enzymes that help ripen the fruit
Scientists believe actinidain is one reason why kiwifruits seem to aid digestion.
An animal study found that adding kiwifruit to the diet improved the digestion of beef, gluten and soy protein isolates in the stomach. This was thought to be due to its actinidain content.
Another animal study analyzed the effects of actinidain on digestion. It fed some animals kiwifruit with active actinidain and other animals kiwifruit without active actinidain.
Results showed that animals fed kiwifruit with active actinidain digested meat more efficiently. The meat also moved faster through the stomach .
Many human-based studies have also found that kiwifruit aids digestion, reduces bloating and helps relieve constipation .
SUMMARYKiwifruit contains the digestive enzyme actinidain, which helps digest proteins. Moreover, consuming kiwifruit may ease digestive symptoms like bloating and constipation.
12. Ginger
Ginger has been a part of cooking and traditional medicine for thousands of years.
Some of ginger’s impressive health benefits may be attributed to its digestive enzymes.
Ginger contains the protease zingibain, which digests proteins into their building blocks. Zingibain is used commercially to make ginger milk curd, a popular Chinese dessert.
Unlike other proteases, it’s not often used to tenderize meats, as it has a short shelf life .
Food sitting in the stomach for too long is often thought to be the cause of indigestion.
Studies in healthy adults and those with indigestion show that ginger helped food move faster through the stomach by promoting contractions .
Animal studies have also shown that spices, including ginger, helped increase the body’s own production of digestive enzymes like amylases and lipases .
What’s more, ginger appears to be a promising treatment for nausea and vomiting .
SUMMARYGinger contains the digestive enzyme zingibain, which is a protease. It may aid digestion by helping food move faster through the digestive tract and boosting the body’s own production of digestive enzymes.