​Using our five senses (seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, and tasting) we trigger the start of digestion via the cephalic phase. Our senses stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest) to communicate via the vagus nerve to our enteric nervous system which governs our gastrointestinal tract. This results in the release of a variety of different neurotransmitters, chemicals, and hormones that stimulate the parietal cells to secrete stomach acid and to stimulate the stomach to start churning slowly. It is as if we placed a skillet on the burner and turned it on. 
 
Overall the cephalic phase contributes to about 30-50% of our total stomach acid production! And did you know that simply talking about food can stimulate this same response? A research study from 1986 found that simply talking about appetizing food for 30 minutes without seeing it, smelling it, or tasting it, increased stomach acid secretion by 66% whereas seeing and smelling food only stimulated stomach acid secretion by 23-46%. Other topics of conversion did not elicit any stomach acid production. This goes to show, that what we are thinking directly impacts our digestion more than what we are seeing or smelling, and that seeing and smelling really just stimulate stomach acid production because we start THINKING more about food. 

​Now let me put this into perspective. What is different between these two scenarios?
 
Scenario #1: 
It’s breakfast time! You go to the fridge and quickly pull out a mason jar of chia berry overnight oats even though you really don't have appetite for it. Instead of sitting down you eat a few bites, get dressed, eat another few bites, put on your shoes, and then gobble down the rest. You quickly grab your bag and head to the car to go to work. 
 
Scenario #2: 
It’s breakfast time! You look into the fridge, think “hmmm, what sounds good? Oh yea, a fried egg on avocado toast sounds delicious!” You heat up the skillet, add a little dollop of butter and hear it sizzle, you crack open the egg on the skillet and hear “tsishhhh” as the egg hits the heated pan. You place a piece of toast in the toaster and wait until your egg and toast are done. As you wait, your appetite builds and builds, and you can’t wait to enjoy the ooey, gooey delicious mess that awaits you. Your toast pops up, you top it with creamy avocado, your crispy, fried egg, and sit down at the table to enjoy this fork and knife breakfast meal. 
 
Although both meals are healthy choices, scenario two allows for optimal digestion because not only is more time spent thinking about food, but the preparation of the food allows all of the senses to be active. If scenario one is your go-to relationship with food, then it is no surprise why you may feel overly full and bloated. When eating in a rushed, hurried, and stressful state of mind, we inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system, and therefore inhibit the stimulation of the vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system. Our energy is shunted away from “rest and digest” and rather focused towards “fight or flight” and our sympathetic nervous system. 

Since the cephalic phase primes the gut for the meal to come, we cannot overlook how powerful it is to simply, slow down when it comes to food. We must allow time in our busy days to appreciate and to look forward to the foods and meals we consume. The saying “eat to live” easily distracts us away from the importance of acknowledging our food as something more than just simply fuel but as something that should be enjoyed. Seeing food through the eyes of a “foodie” can be one very helpful step that can enhance your gut health.
 
Some Tips from your Gut Health Expert:

1. If you are emotionally stressed, it is better not to eat at all until you can calm yourself down.
2. Instead of grabbing food and going, grab food and sit. Take the time to look at your food, think about how tasty the food is going to be, and enjoy your meal slowly. 
3. Take 3-5 deep belly breaths before sitting down to a meal to activate your parasympathetic nervous system.
4. Put away the cell phone, put away the computer, put away the book. Focus on your meal at hand. 
5. Learn to enjoy the process of cooking. Turn on some music, enjoy a small glass of wine, and get inspired by a recipe or whatever is in your fridge. 
6. Cook together with friends and family (once we are able to reunite again)!
7. Plate your food nicely. The more appetizing a meal looks, the more you activate the enteric nervous system. A little parsley garnish can go far!

Are there any changes you are willing to make to your eating routine to enhance your cephalic phase? Share with me below!

Did you know that taste can influence our digestion? We have five tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and savory (umami). These taste receptors are located not only on the tongue but also throughout the entire body including (but not limited to) the entire GI tract, as well as the immune system, heart and even the brain. 
 
Bitter plant compounds, are most often used to support digestion. In fact, they have been used for centuries to relieve common gut symptoms such as indigestion, bloating, and feeling full fast. Interestingly, research has found that we have 25 different bitter receptors each stimulated by different bitter compounds. These receptors are also found in the stomach, and once stimulated, support stomach acid production. Therefore, bitter greens (such as radicchio, chicory, endive, kale, arugula), citrus (especially citrus peels), rhubarb, and caffeinated beverages like coffee, green and black tea, can all support healthy stomach acid production. Beer and wine can also stimulate stomach acid production due to their alcohol content and as well as their bitter compounds. However, keep in mind that alcohol itself can contribute to irritating GI symptoms. 

Why is this important? For good gut health, we need proper stomach acid secretion. Stomach acid is essential to help us break down and digest our food (especially protein) and acts as a barrier for incoming bacteria either via our food or oral cavity. Stomach acid also triggers the release of bile from the gallbladder and triggers the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Therefore, stomach acid is essential for optimal digestion. 

​Furthermore, bitter compounds are also found in the duodenum (first part of the small intestine), and directly stimulate the release of cholecystokinin (CCK). CCK is a hormone which stimulates the release of bile from the gallbladder and the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Bile is essential for the absorption of fats and fat soluble vitamins A, E, D, K and digestive enzymes are essential to break down all of our food into small enough particles for easy absorption. 

If you are motivated to increase your bitter foods for enhanced digestion check out the ideas below. There are many options besides eating an arugula salad that can help boost your daily bitter intake. 
​

• Make endive boats as an appetizer.
• Mix in chicory greens into your salad greens.
• Make a winter kale and radicchio salad
• Try sauteed radicchio in a pasta dish.
• Make a rhubarb compote and mix into yogurt or top on pancakes
• Add lemon zest to salad dressing or mix into steamed rice for aroma.
• Top your pizza with arugula after baking.
• Add a splash of grapefruit juice to your water. 
• Make a citrus and avocado salad.

Clinically, besides bitter foods, bitter herbs found in tinctures can be helpful for more immediate relief. I suggest taking the bitters directly into the mouth and then swishing the bitters around for a few seconds before swallowing. I often recommend the following:
 
Iberogast: 20 drops with meals or 60 drops before bed
Urban Moonshine Original Bitters: 1 dropperful before meals
Urban Moonshine Calm Tummy Bitters (safe for pregnant mamas)
Herb Pharm Better Bitters: 1 dropperful before meals
Swedish Bitters: 1 tsp before meals