Here it comes again: that dull stomach ache that never seems to go away. Many of us suffer from stomach issues, and boy are they a real pain! Sometimes, these stomach issues are a result of enzyme malfunction in the body, or the insufficient release of enzymes.
Enzymes are basically proteins produced by the body to break down food into nutrients needed for energy. If you’re looking to boost the enzymes in your body, try incorporating these foods that are high in natural digestive enzymes.
Tip: All of these foods are best eaten in their raw form to maximise their benefits. Want an additional boost? Have a packet of our Multi Enzyme+ supplements before a meal.
1. Pineapple
A tropical fruit, pineapple has a delightfully refreshing sweet and tart flavour profile. It contains bromelain, a type of digestive enzyme that belongs to the protease family. It helps to break down protein into amino acids, enhancing its absorption by the body.
2. Avocado
Avocado is commonly known as a superfruit, and rightly so! They are low in sugar, and contain high amounts of healthy fats. They contain lipase, the digestive enzyme that helps to break down fat into fatty acids and glycerol.
3. Honey
Mm, who’s craving for a sweet treat? Honey is thick, raw, and delicious — and contains lots of digestive enzymes too! It has amylase, which breaks down starch into glucose and maltose; protease, which breaks down protein into amino acids; diastase, which breaks down starch into maltose; and invertase, which breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose. It’s best to consume honey as it is; heating it by adding it into hot beverages can destroy the enzymes within.
4. Papaya
Good for bowel moments, papaya is a tropical fruit that also boasts plenty of digestive enzymes. It contains papain, a protease that helps to break down protein. It also contains other enzymes such as chymopapain, glutamine acyltransferase, and glycol endopeptidase.
5. Banana
Marathon runners often refuel on bananas — and we can totally see why. High in potassium, digestive fibre, and carbohydrates, bananas are great as a healthy food that will fill you up for longer. Even better, they contain amylases and glucosidases, enzymes that break down starch into sugars.
6. Mango
Need some respite from our sweltering heat? Mangoes make for a fabulous thirst-quenching snack, especially when eaten cold. They’re a tropical fruit that contains amylase, a digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose and maltose. The riper the mango gets, the more active the enzymes become — making the fruit sweeter as it ripens.
7. Kefir
Kefir not only tastes good, but is also good for your health! A fermented milk beverage, Kefir is the result of combining milk and kefir cultures — which contain lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and acetic acid bacteria — and leaving the mixture to ferment. It contains the digestive enzymes of lactase, which break down lactose; lipase, which breaks down fat; and proteases, which break down protein.
8. Kimchi
Who loves Korean cuisine? Our favourite part is the banchan (side dishes) that accompany every meal, with kimchi being the star of the show. Comprising fermented vegetables, kimchi tastes sour, sweet, and tangy all at once — and is a fantastic palate cleanser. Digestive enzymes of lipases, amylases, and proteases are formed during the fermentation process, which help to break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
9. Ginger
A hot favourite of traditional medicine, ginger is also a common cooking spice. It contains zingibain, a protease that breaks down protein. In fact, it’s also said that the consumption of ginger also helps to boost the body’s production of other digestive enzymes like lipase and amylase.
10. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a common German side dish, and consists of shredded fermented cabbage. Similar to kimchi, the fermentation process creates a host of digestive enzymes. It also contains lactic acid bacteria, which are healthy bacteria that can help to enhance gut health.
Can’t get enough? Enhance your diet with a packet of our Multi Enzyme+ supplements, which help to break down food more efficiently, increase nutrient absorption, and cleanse your digestive system. Say goodbye to feeling bloated after a full meal — you can thank us later.
