Suggestions for creating Healthy Habits with Digestive Bitters

WHERE DID BITTERS GO? 

Is bitter the forgotten taste? We all know in the standard American diet we’re bombarded with sweet and salty, but what about sour and bitter – where did these go? Why are our bodies able to detect these tastes in food, yet we’re not consuming foods that actually contain these tastes?

Throughout history, digestive bitters have been commonly used to promote digestion. As humans organized early medical systems, we see mention of bitters in almost every culture, from Ayurveda and Chinese medicine to the original bitter liquids of the Mediterranean.

Bitters tap into our body's inherent response to bitter flavors that help to stimulate bitter taste receptors on the tongue, which then signal the brain to communicate with the digestive system to release digestive enzymes and juices in preparation for digestion. 

With the rise of industrial agriculture, our culture has moved away from bitter foods in favor of sweet and salty food. Yet research shows that taking a holistic approach to stimulate your digestion with bitters, such as Underberg, is a good idea.

THE BENEFITS OF BITTERS

They amp up digestion: Bitters are known to help kick start digestion. It works by triggering receptors in the digestive tract, stimulating stomach acids and enzymes needed to break down food.

They curb cravings: Modern research shows bitter flavors inhibit sweet-responsive neurons in the brain, blocking the response to sweet taste and shutting down the desire for sugar. And when bitter taste receptors in the digestive system are stimulated, they trigger the release of hormones involved in hunger and appetite.

Help support liver health: Bitter flavors support the liver in its two most important functions: they trigger the production of bile, a digestive compound that breaks down fats and improves nutrient absorption, and boost the liver’s detoxification efforts.

Simple ways to incorporate bitters to help improve digestion

Small, practical, and always exactly the right portion for well-being, each Underberg bottle is made from a selection of the finest aromatic herbs from 43 countries. 

In general the goal of using bitters is to ease digestive issues. Therefore, it’s recommended to use Underberg right before or after the meal. Even when you are traveling, on vacation in a hotel overindulging yourself in the open buffet, or on a gastro-trip exploring new tastes, keeping a few portion sized bottles of Underberg can come handy to stay alert and let the good times roll.