If we had to choose between sweet, sour, salty, and bitter tastes, very few would choose bitter foods. And they are exceptionally healthy. In the article, you will learn how bitter foods can even help you lose weight.
Bitter is the least popular of all flavors – even though bitter substances are very healthy. They promote blood circulation and digestion, strengthen the immune system and stimulate fat metabolism in the liver and bile.
What Are Bitter Substances?
“Bitters” is a term for different chemical compounds that taste bitter. Natural bitter substances are found in various plants, such as artichokes, iceberg lettuce, and chicory.
Plants develop bitter substances primarily to ward off enemies. Because, just like humans, many animals do not like the bitter taste.
Intuitively, the mouth contracts when we eat bitter foods. This is how the body protects us from consuming something toxic. But be careful: Bitter does not mean poisonous. The exact opposite is the case with some plants with bitter substances: they are even particularly healthy.
The good news is: You can get used to the bitter taste. An example: Hardly any child likes the taste of coffee – yet almost all adults drink it, even though it tastes bitter.
Approach bitter foods slowly. In the long run, you will even find the bitter taste pleasant. A positive side effect is that you will consume less sugar because bitter foods reduce your desire for sweets.
Why Is Bitter So Healthy?
You have to get used to the bitter taste – but it’s worth it. Bitter substances have numerous positive effects on health and can even help you lose weight.
“Bitter substances” is just a generic term, and every bitter food contains a different composition of bitter substances – so they also have slightly different effects.
Bitter Substances Are Good For Digestion
Natural bitter substances have a positive influence on the various stages of digestion. Eating a chicory salad, for example, stimulates the digestive organs. The saliva flow is already stimulated when chewing; the stomach produces more gastric acid, and bile flow is stimulated. This is important for fat burning, among other things.
Bitter substances also stimulate intestinal activity and can thus help to ensure healthy digestion – and good digestion, in turn, can regulate the feeling of hunger and, therefore, indirectly support weight loss.
Bitter Substances Can Help With Weight Loss
Bitter substances not only ensure that food is better absorbed by the body but can also inhibit appetite. Bitter substances dock onto specific intestinal cells, which release hormones. These signal to the brain that we are full.
If you consume bitter substances, you will feel fuller more quickly. Also, your cravings for sweets will decrease.
These Foods Contain A Considerable Number Of Bitter Substances
Due to its numerous favorable properties, it is best to eat bitter foods daily. Natural bitter substances are found in various vegetables, fruit, drinks, spices, and salads.
Bitter Vegetables
- artichokes
- broccoli
- Cauliflower
- aubergine
- asparagus
- spinach
- fennel
- celery
- radish
bitter fruit
- Grapefruit
- lemon
- pomelo
- kumquat
Bitter-tasting drinks
- Valerian tea
- vermouth
- dandelion tea
- mint tea
Bitter Spices
- Caraway seeds
- turmeric
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- mustard seeds
- anise
Bitter-tasting salads
- arugula
- endive
- Chicory
- radicchio
Buy Bitter-Tasting Fruit And Vegetables Or Grow Them Yourself?
Unfortunately, many producers bred away bitter substances so that the fruit and vegetables taste better to the general public. Hobby gardeners benefit particularly from home-grown fruit and vegetables. Another plus point: The vegetables from your garden have to fight more against predators and produce a lot of bitter substances.
If you want to buy vegetables with a good portion of bitter substances, ensure that the food is organic and regionally produced.
ALSO READ: LEARN HOW TO REDUCE SUGAR CONSUMPTION IN YOUR FOOD!