Show HELPS TO GOOD DIGESTION bi dr it K II 11 reynolds good digestion la Is the foundation not only ot of real health but of physical and mental efficiency as well one of the most important essentials to good digestion is properly cooked and properly combined foods well masticated and eaten in amounts not to exceed the digestive capacity in addition to these essentials there are several helps which everyone can put into practice with but little et fort while many people for a time at least have a good digestion without any care as to the diet everyone can be benefited by proper food hygiene mastication it Is important that the food be masticated thoroughly we need to chew our food not net only to separate it into small particles easily dissolved by the digestive fluids but the act of chewing sets up the manufacture of the digestive secretions in every part of the food canal and the more we chew the more these indispensable pen pene sable able digestive fluids will be manufactured we should avoid drinking with our meals not only does it favor imperfect mastication of the food but water taken during diges lion tion dilutes the digestive juices weakens their action and delays the digestive process we ive should wait for tap twp hours after the lighter meals and for three hours after the hearty meals before drinking water rest increases In creTies digestion by resting before and after the meals especially when we have been working hard our digestive power Is decidedly increased lying down or sitting down tor for five or ten minutes preceding and following the meals equalizes the circulation enables the body to call the blood away from the brain or muscles to the stomach to digest the food in order that we may cat eat the most when we can rest the most we ne should have our dinners at night rather than at boon noon it Is not a good plan to work off a hearty meal it is much better to sleep it off digestion takes place best when the body Is at rest or asleep eating a light lunch at noon will enable us to do more and better work in the afternoon and to eat a heavy dinner at night which can be dige digested ted while we sleep |