Up until recently, almost all tribes and cultures incorporated some form of bitter foods into their diets.  These bitter foods help stimulate the vagus nerve found on the back of the tongue.  In return, this stimulates the digestive system to produce more stomach acid.

As a result, tribes and ancient cultures rarely, if ever, had digestive problems like the modern world is facing.

This is because their diet allowed them to maintain adequate levels of stomach acid all through childhood into adulthood…

Bitter food is necessary for the production and maintenance of stomach acid.  Modern day society rarely, if ever, incorporate bitter tasting foods needed for the production of stomach acid.  Consequently, digestive problems and poor nutrient absorption is at an  all time high.

Bitter Food and The Vagus Nerve

As mentioned before, bitter food stimulates the vagus nerve found on the back of the tongue (1).  When this nerve is stimulated, it signals to the stomach to produce more stomach acid.  This in return, allows for better absorption and breakdown from the meal(s) you may consume throughout the day.

Low stomach acid production is a key player in mineral deficiencies.  For example, someone operating with strong stomach acid will extract more vitamins and minerals from their food.  On the other hand, those with low stomach acid will have difficulty extracting the vitamins and minerals from their food.  As a result, the latter individual will accumulate mineral deficiencies overtime due to low stomach acid production.

It’s important to understand that certain areas of the tongue have different receptor sites: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.  Each of these sites are interconnected with the entire body and all have their purpose.  The key is exercise all receptor sites by eating a very varied diet.

Unfortunately, grocery stores and modern living sets us up for disaster.  It’s not uncommon that most of the population will overuse the ‘sweet’ and ‘salty’ receptor sites, while neglecting the ‘bitter’ and ‘sour’ receptor sites.  This results in an unbalanced body and eventually dis-ease…

Remember, their is no such thing as “the best diet.”  The body is constantly changing and its requirements and demands change each and every time we make our way around the sun.

Simple Trick To Increase Your Stomach Acid and Health Naturally

The best advice I can give you is too eat MORE BITTER FOODS!  Below is a list of some of the best bitters to incorporate into your diet.

• Dandelion
• Burdock Root
• Fennel
• Wormwood (occasionally; very powerful)
• Andrographis
• Yellow Dock
• Chamomile
• Citrus Peel
• Peppermint

Although there are many more, these will be the easiest to find. Most grocery and health food stores will carry these.  There are also organic digestive extracts that are much quicker and easier to take.  You simply take the place a few drops of this bitter extract on your tongue and this stimulates the vagus nerve.  This is much more convenient for those who are busy.

I recommend the following digestive bitter extract:

Urban Moonshine Original Bitters, Organic & Gluten Free

When to Take Digestive Bitters

Ideally, you would be eating a series of bitter foods throughout the day.  I personally like to chew on peppermint, fennel, and dandelion before each and every meal.

By chewing you release the bitter juices inside the herbs which in return makes contact with the tongue.  I will chew for about 5-10 minutes ensuring all the juices are out.  Once the herbs have lost their juices, simply spit out.

Likewise, if your using the digestive bitters extract, simply place a few drops on the tongue before each every meal…

If you stick to this protocol you will be amazed by the results.  Your body will naturally be obtaining more minerals and vitamins from the food you’re eating.  This results in a happier and healthier you!

Be sure to share your thoughts and comments below!

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Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446506/