Everyone is familiar with craving a sugary snack, but sometimes, your body is actually craving the digestive benefits of bitter foods. Though humans have evolved to avoid extreme bitterness due to its association with toxicity, many foods with a tinge of bitterness have far-reaching health benefits. People have reaped the incredible digestive advantages of wines and herbal concoctions crafted for bitterness since ancient Egypt.
When discussing the benefits of bitters, it is important to note that Paracelsus, the father of modern toxicology, once stated, “Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy.” This means that bitter flavors, while sometimes an indicator of toxicity, can be great for one’s health if consumed in moderation.
Eating a salad before a meal is actually rooted in the wisdom of incorporating bitter ingredients to aid digestion. When the taste buds come into contact with something bitter, the mouth floods with enzyme-rich saliva that starts breaking down the food, enabling the body to absorb nutrients more efficiently. Bitter flavors also stimulate the hormone gastrin, which in turn secretes hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This process helps draw every nutrient from the food you consume. Just seconds after consuming something bitter, the liver and gallbladder will increase bile production, lubricating the intestines to maximize nutrient absorption and improving digestion. Bitters have even been reported to help curb sugar cravings, tackling sugar addiction from two different angles.
Unfortunately, modern Western diets tend to replace salads packed with healthy bitters with nutritionally deficient dishes consisting only of iceberg lettuce drenched in high-calorie dressings. There are easy ways to improve this and create healthy, bitter salads that not only taste great but are also highly beneficial. Some excellent ingredients that you should consider adding to your salads for digestive benefits include kale, nettles, dill, dandelion, parsley, radish, cilantro, arugula, and fenugreek seeds.
When creating your bitter salad, strive to find a balance of bitter flavors to match your specific tastes. Then, add some citrus to help brighten up the salad and offer a light contrasting flavor, followed by a balanced homemade dressing composed of balsamic vinegar and a healthy oil of your choice. This will add a touch of sweetness and a savory aspect to balance out the dish’s bitterness.
In conclusion, the benefits of incorporating bitter foods into your diet are undeniable. Don’t be put off by the seemingly unpalatable flavor; embrace bitters and create a delicious, flavorful salad that will significantly help improve digestion. With a well-rounded bitter salad, the digestive boost will become merely a bonus to the enjoyment of your new favorite dish.
