Read More: Can Certain Food Improve Your Brain Health? A persistent digestive illness called gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is brought on when stomach acid or bile rushes back up into the esophagus, therefore, irritating and inflaming it.

Heartburn, swallowing difficulties, chest pain , sore throat, and nausea or vomiting are the most common signs of GERD. Th is condition primarily affects adults aged 60 years or older. Some people may experience abdominal pain , fever, changes in bowel habits, or bloating.

Although, the actual cause of diverticulitis is unknown, however , several factors can contribute to its development, including a ging , g enetics , o besity , s moking and s tress.

IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome, which is a common disorder of the digestive system that affects the large intestine. It is a chronic condition that is characterized by a group of symptoms, including abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Staying inactive for a long period of time can contribute to digestive problems, particularly constipation, acid reflux, and bloating.

Inactivity or low levels of physical activity may disrupt the way the digestive tract muscles move food and waste through the system.

This could slow down digestion and increase the risk of constipation. Foods high in fiber and nutrients and low in fat make up a diet that provides the nutrients required for a healthy digestive tract.

The following are some foods that can help seniors maintain a healthy digestive system:. Seniors should talk to their healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making any significant changes to their diet.

They can help ensure that their diet is balanced and meets their unique nutritional needs. One of the most effective ways to maintain a healthy digestive system is to drink adequate water.

Adequate hydration prevents constipation and promotes regular bowel movements. Additionally, water also helps dissolve and flush out waste and toxins from the body, keeping the digestive system functioning. Seniors should drink at least 8 cups or 64 ounces of water per day.

However, older adults may not feel as thirsty as they should due to age-related health issues. Therefore, caregivers should remind them to drink water or use the following methods to ensure proper hydration:. Seniors should also speak with a primary care physician to determine their specific fluid needs, especially if they have any health conditions that affect their fluid balance, such as kidney disease.

Regular exercise can help stimulate the muscles in the digestive system, promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. Moreover, physical activities can reduce stress levels and promote relaxation which can otherwise cause digestive issues such as bloating, cramping and even diarrhea.

To stay active, seniors can try the following activities:. Consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine. Read More: Why Should Seniors Practice Yoga? Maintaining healthy weight has many advantages, including lower risk of contracting diseases like diabetes, heart disease , and high blood pressure.

This indicates that healthy weight also minimizes the chance of taking pills, thus reducing worry about any negative side effects on the digestive system. Seniors are advised to consult with a doctor before stopping or starting any prescription medication because doing so could affect their health.

Read More: Foods That Help Lower Blood Pressure. Other fermented fare you may want to try are kefir made from fermented milk , kimchi Korean pickled cabbage , and miso a Japanese paste made of fermented soybeans.

Word to the wise though: Go easy on fermented foods at first. Too much too fast can lead to a bout of cramping and diarrhea. Beans, such as navy, kidney, and black beans, are an easy way to hit that daily target.

Navy beans have a whopping 19 g of fiber per cup, according to the U. Department of Agriculture. Good news for those worried about having too much gas from high-fiber foods: Research published in Nutrition Journal showed that people had less gas than they thought they would when upping black-eyed peas consumption.

Only half of participants reported any increase in gas at first and, by the end of the first week, that number had dropped to just 19 percent, making eating black-eyed peas a digestive tip you can live with. The study also looked at tolerance for baked beans and pinto beans and found that tolerance for all of these increased over time.

The fuzzy fruit packed with vitamin C is making waves in the gastrointestinal community since a study published in June in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that people who ate two kiwis a day were relieved of their constipation better than patients who consumed prunes or psyllium.

The group assigned kiwis also had fewer negative side-effects and enjoyed their high-fiber food most. Our digestive tract is full of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. The collection of these microorganisms live in delicate balance in the gut microbiome, which is why what you feed your microbiome can make a difference.

Eating foods like yogurt that contain probiotics — certain microorganisms that reportedly play a role in digestion, support immune system, and manage inflammation.

A study published in August in Nutrients found that yogurt with a specific probiotic strain helped protect the gut microbiome from changes due to taking antibiotics that lead to diarrhea. Moses, MD , a professor in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington.

Moses says that some supplements contain better strains of probiotics, but he adds a disclaimer. Like any nonscientific therapeutic, probiotics are encouraged when they are part of a program that patients find clearly helpful for symptoms.

Such a program may include prebiotic fiber and other proven recommendations. A review published in June in Microrganisms found evidence lacking that probiotic supplementation improved digestive health in the elderly, though some small studies did find that probiotic supplementation improved chronic constipation.

Fish oil can benefit not only your heart, but your digestive tract as well because the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil tamp down inflammation. To start, you can try to move toward a Mediterranean diet and add fatty fish like salmon, halibut, and mackerel to your diet.

What doctors and researchers know now is that people with irritable bowel syndrome IBS , one of the most common reasons for visiting a gastroenterologist, may not be consuming enough of the omega-3 fatty acids from fish.

In a small study published in the journal Medicine , researchers looked at the level of fatty acids in 30 Asian women with IBS versus 39 Asian women without the disorder. They found that women with IBS not only had higher levels of depression, but they also had higher levels of unhealthy saturated fats in their blood, and lower levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

While a study published in December in Gut Microbes found that six weeks of taking omega-3 supplements induced small changes in the composition of the gut microbiome, supporting the theory that omega-3 fatty acids could have a prebiotic effect on the gut, but more research is needed to understand its role and mechanism in the gut.

Your digestive system is busy. When you eat something, your food takes a twisty trip that starts with being chewed up and ends with you going to the bathroom.

A lot happens in between. The health of your gut plays a key role in your overall health and well-being. You can make choices to help your body stay on tract. Your digestive, or gastrointestinal GI , tract is a long, muscular tube that runs from your mouth to your anus.

The blood absorbs these and carries them throughout the body for cells to use for energy, growth, and repair. About 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases, like gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD or irritable bowel syndrome IBS.

This causes uncomfortable symptoms like heartburn and indigestion. IBS is a group of symptoms that includes pain in the abdomen and changes in bowel habits.

People with IBS may have constipation, diarrhea, or both. Many more people have other digestive problems, like bloating and stomach pain.

Lin Chang, a GI expert at the University of California, Los Angeles. Chang studies the connection between stress and IBS. Her research group has found that people who have early life stress are more likely to develop IBS. What you eat can help or hurt your digestive system, and influence how you feel.

Chang says you should eat at least 20—30 grams of fiber a day for constipation. You can spread out your fiber in small amounts throughout the day. Start with small servings and gradually increase them to avoid gas, bloating, and discomfort. Try to eat fruits and vegetables at every meal.