Understanding How Food Affects Digestion, Health, and Balance

Health isn't just about choosing "healthy" foods—it's about understanding how those foods interact with your body. Whether you're a vegetarian, a meat-lover, or somewhere in between, mindful preparation, balanced nutrients, and a deeper awareness of your body's needs can make all the difference.

🌾 Grains, Nuts & Seeds: Nature’s Toughest Proteins

Seeds and grains like beans, nuts, and whole grains are built to survive in the wild until they sprout. That resilience comes from strong plant-based fats that protect their protein content. These fats are hard to break down, making digestion tricky. For example, bean sprouts—often seen as a light, healthy side dish—can pass through the digestive system without being broken down, especially if your digestive fire (or stomach acid) is weak.

🍠 Fruits & Starchy Crops: Sweetness That Turns to Fat

Foods like fruits, corn, sweet potatoes, and other starchy vegetables are rich in sugars and carbs. Once consumed, these can quickly convert to fat, especially when eaten in excess, leading to fat accumulation in the liver, bloodstream, and intestines. Tropical fruits and veggies, while nutritious, tend to have a cooling effect on the body. To balance this, they’re best eaten cooked—grilled, roasted, or stir-fried.

🥗 Vegetarian Diets: Not Always Easy on the Body

While rich in fiber and plant-based nutrients, vegetarian diets can be harder to digest. Excess fiber and plant-based oils may lead to mineral imbalances—particularly potassium overload—which can make the body feel stiff or sluggish. Without sufficient animal protein and fat, the liver and gallbladder can weaken, increasing the risk of fatty liver, gallstones, or kidney stones. Balanced inclusion of easily digestible animal protein can help maintain organ health.

🍞 Wheat-Based Foods: Why Chewing Matters

Carbohydrates, like bread, noodles, and rice cakes, need to be broken down by saliva enzymes. If you eat too fast, especially gluten-rich or sticky carbs, digestion shifts to the pancreas, putting stress on it and potentially triggering blood sugar issues or diabetes. Many wheat products, especially imported ones, contain preservatives, bleaches, or are genetically modified—adding extra strain on your liver.

🍖 Protein & Fats: Cooking Matters More Than You Think

Proteins become harder to digest when overcooked. Lightly grilled meats, raw fish (like sashimi), soft-boiled eggs, and fermented seafood (jeotgal) are often easier to digest and absorb, which helps with cell regeneration. Contrary to popular belief, animal fats are vital for muscle health, skin elasticity, hormone production, and blood vessel integrity. Eliminating them completely can lead to hormonal imbalances and reduced vitality.

🌊 Seaweed: A Cooling Superfood That Needs Heat

Sea vegetables like laver (gim) and kelp (miyeok) are incredibly nutritious but naturally cooling. To avoid digestive upset, always eat them cooked—boiled or lightly roasted.

🥛 Dairy Products: Hormones and Hidden Risks

To boost milk production, cows are often fed hormones that can end up affecting human health—leading to early puberty, hormonal issues, or increased cancer risks. Dairy can also contain antibiotic residues, which may be harmful to the liver, kidneys, and stomach over time.

☕ Tea, Coffee & Alcohol: More Than a Pick-Me-Up

Tea, coffee, and alcohol have traditionally helped people digest heavy, meat-based meals. They stimulate stomach acid and can aid protein digestion. However, overuse—especially coffee—can overstimulate the stomach and bowels, which may cause discomfort or strain over time.

🌶️ Black Pepper & Zanthoxylum: Nature’s Digestive Helpers

These spices are powerful in breaking down meat proteins and suppressing harmful bacteria. They also support gut health and improve digestive efficiency.

💧 Water & Mineral Balance: Don't Drink Plain Water Alone

Pure water isn’t always enough. Our body fluids mimic a 0.9% saline (salt) solution, filled with essential minerals. Drinking plain water, especially during meals, can dilute digestive fluids and slow digestion. Instead, add a pinch of mineral-rich salt to your water—about one teaspoon per liter—to create a gentle 0.3% mineral water solution.

🧂 Why Mineral Salt Is a Game-Changer

Refined salt (the kind found in most tables) contains only sodium chloride (NaCl), with no trace minerals. Over time, relying only on refined salt can lead to mineral deficiencies and poor digestion. Ginseng mineral salt, made from natural sea salt, helps restore mineral balance, improves digestion, and supports overall vitality. When added to water, it becomes a natural tonic that works harmoniously with the body.

Recommend food

1. Eggs

2. Butter

3. Meat, fish

4. Cooked vegetables, pickled vegetables, Fomented vegetables

5. Fruits (lightly salted). Cooking fruits makes them tastier and easier to digest.

6. A little Bread with butter and a sprinkle of salt

7. White rice

8. Coconut oil powder

9. Oils: avocado oil, cold-pressed olive oil, lard oil