Excesses are often synonymous with a swollen stomach and digestive heaviness. Here is the drink to take before eating to improve digestion.
The end of the year puts a strain on the body, and the stress of preparations often affects our digestive comfort. To approach holiday meals with lightness, a natural solution helps prepare the ground. Thanks to its recognized antispasmodic properties, this drink relaxes the muscles of the stomach and intestines. By relaxing the digestive sphere even before eating, it helps prevent bloating and spasms, all with a very pleasant lemony taste.
This drink soothes the body more broadly, not just on the digestive level. Its effectiveness was proven by a clinical study carried out on 18 healthy volunteers. The protocol tested doses of 300 mg and 600 mg. To measure the participants’ cognitive response, they were subjected to an intensive stress test combining several complex tasks, to be completed quickly, and mental arithmetic. The results are clear: the plant reduced anxiety and significantly improved the mood of the subjects. In addition to feeling calmer, they showed better resistance to pressure. It is therefore an essential ally for digestion and emotional balance, to be adopted 60 minutes before a large meal, since its effects have been measured “one hour after administration” in the study.
What is this famous anti-stress and digestive plant? Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). To benefit from its active ingredients, it is recommended to consume it as an infusion of dried leaves or in the form of dry extract capsules. A true “sweetness” plant, lemon balm acts on two fronts to protect digestion. On the one hand, its antispasmodic action calms the digestive sphere. On the other hand, its carminative properties help to limit the fermentations responsible for bloating.
To prepare your infusion, let a tablespoon of dried leaves steep for 10 minutes in water at 85°C, ideally under a lid. Integrating lemon balm into your pre-meal routine is now the ideal health reflex to preserve nervous and digestive balance during the holidays. Warning: lemon balm is well tolerated in healthy adults, but it is not harmless. In the event of a thyroid disorder, sedative treatment, pregnancy or breastfeeding, medical advice is still recommended.
