The very word “bitter” has become
linguistically associated with expressions of anger, resentment, pain
and reactivity. Yet complex bitter flavor does far more than cause lips
to pucker and heads to shake. Known for stimulating the senses and
engaging the digestive system, foods possessing a bitter quality have
long been valued for a unique ability to cleanse the body and build
vitality.
Many cultures revered
bitter foods as an essential part of a regular healthy diet. Large
numbers of the diverse roots, barks, flowers and herbs of the wild
plant kingdom are bursting with complex bitter flavor. When consumed,
such plants naturally stimulate the production of saliva, gastric juices
and bile to balance the appetite and prime digestion. Yet while bitter
botanicals were consumed readily by our foraging ancestors, such richly
flavored plant foods have been unfortunately lost to the endless aisles
of sweetened and salted snacks filling grocery store.
We are in an era where every food must be sweetened, All yoghurts are sweetened, beverages are all sweetened, but my question is are there health benefits to having all these foods sweetened and flavored? That question is left for you to answer, but one thing I do know is that there are numerous health benefits of including bitters to our diet. Bitter herbs were part of the Passover recipe given by the one that fashioned our body. The Almighty knows well that there are dangers in sweetening all our foods. Several times I had worked into some Super Markets, unfortunately it was difficult to find foods that were not sweetened, except for the bitter mixtures, tonics and tinctures. I searched particularly for unsweetened yoghurt. Yes I love its sour taste. It was only one source I was getting from and not long, it no longer in sight. Some health conscious individual out there will agree with me that if you must enjoy a healthy body, especially if you are 40yrs and above, then occasional bitters is a must in your diet. Here are some of the ways bitters works:
How do bitters work?
The bitter taste buds at the back of the tongue are stimulated when certain chemical constituents contact these bitter receptors. The bitter taste evokes a sensory response on the nervous system. The nervous system response then goes to the gut or digestive system. Digestive hormones are released and many effects are noted.
Here are exactly what bitters do.
- Stimulate appetite
- Stimulate digestive juices and pancreatic enzymes
- Increases bile flow
- Aids the liver in detoxification
Including bitter foods in the diet isn’t simply a matter of reviving tradition or taste. Bitter flavored foods also have a rich history in the healing arts. From the wine infused herbal concoctions used by Ancient Egyptians to the 16th century prescriptions of famous physician Paracelsus and beyond, elixirs brewed from carefully selected bitter herbs have been treasured as cure-all remedies across the ages. Studies have confirmed that getting an adequate amount of bitter flavor is important for digestive balance and linked with many related health benefits. Eating bitters regularly has been shown to:
1. Curb sugar cravings
2. Soothe gas and bloating
3. Relieve occasional heartburn
4. Encourage digestive enzymes, bile & HCL production
5. Calm upset stomach and nausea
6. Increase absorption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
7. Help maintain healthy blood sugar levels
8. Balance appetite
9. Ease constipation and regulate bowel movements
10. Support liver function and healthy skin
In a broader sense, bitter herbs act as tonics to the systems, including the digestive, nervous and cardiovascular systems.
It is thought that the physical sensation of the bitter taste is crucial for the responses to occur.
Some bitter herbs are:
- wormwood
- goldenseal
- berberis
- bitter orange
- angelica root
- artichoke leaf
- Bitter Leaf
- Bitter cola
- Bitter melon
- Orange Peel
- dandelian
- achillea
- chamomile
Many bitters as alcohol-based and found in liquors. Herbal tinctures are also alcohol-based. Small amounts can have big effects. Alcohol-free bitters are available. Some bitter herbs can be taken as a water infusion/tea, such as the milder herbs, for milder effects.
There are also various bitter mixtures and tonics in the market that combine with other herbs that could be taken in moderation. There are so many herbalist and researchers around doing great job, coming out with various herbal bitter mixtures that could help calm our systems when the sugar and sweets gets troublesome.
Caution:
- Stong bitters can be irritating to those with gastric irritation and reflux, gall bladder disease and dysmennorhea (uterine cramps).
- Diabetics need to exercise caution as bitters may change blood sugar levels.
- Bitters are not recommended during pregnancy.
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