Good, better, bitter

Why we very much need bitter substances

In the past you used to have a lot more bitter flavours 

Do you like grapefruit or chicory? Do you like a slightly bitter taste? If you do, you are in luck, because you are probably living a healthier life. Nowadays, the majority of people tend to prefer sweet, salty or umami (very spicy and savoury) flavours. 

A bitter flavour is more likely to be perceived as unpleasant.

Until quite recently, this was very different. 40 to 50 years ago, many more fruits and vegetables contained bitter substances, but because bitterness does not sell well and is often perceived as unpleasant and offputting, the bitterness was gradually eliminated from vegetables, fruits and lettuce. We have made our food tastier. However, we do tolerate bitter substances in stimulants such as coffee and beer.

The industrialisation of the food industry has also contributed to the fact that the bitter flavour has increasingly disappeared from our food. In particular fruit and vegetable varieties that grow quickly and produce high yields are now being cultivated. They are no longer given the time to ripen and develop nutrients, aromatic and bitter substances. And that is exactly what we need so badly. Instead, many of our foods contain preservatives, emulsifiers and colourings. Agriculture uses pesticides, insecticides and fungicides to grow our food. The meat industry uses antibiotics and hormones. All this causes our digestion to become overloaded and sluggish.

The now almost complete absence of bitter substances in our diet may also be a major contributor to many health problems and obesity. 

Safe aids for the digestive system 

When bitter substances are ingested with food, they immediately set the digestive processes in motion. They already start their work in the mouth. The bitter taste stimulates the salivary glands and increases the production of saliva. This allows the meal to be pre-digested in the mouth and it is then more easily processed by the stomach.

In the stomach, the bitter substances also increase the release of gastric juices and the blood flow to the stomach lining. The liver, gall bladder and pancreas are also stimulated to produce digestive juices. This means that heavy food can be digested more thoroughly and more quickly than without the intervention of the bitter substances.

In addition, the muscle activity of the digestive organs is activated. The entire digestive system starts to function. The increased production of digestive juices in the stomach, gall bladder and pancreas leads to a lowering of the pH-value, which improves the absorption of food.

Only when the digestive system is functioning properly can nutrients and vital substances be perfectly absorbed and every single cell in the body optimally supplied with them. Equally important is the complete and rapid elimination of unnecessary substances.

Antibacterial and expectorant for colds 

Bitter substances affect the bronchial system in various ways. They stimulate the tiny hairs on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract to move more. This keeps bacteria and other pathogens away from the cell surface. Moreover, the mucus is better transported out of the body. The bitter substances relax the muscles of the bronchi and at the same time cells are stimulated to release certain antibodies, thus activating the immune system. 

Strengthening for the whole body 

Many diseases start in the stomach or intestines. We should be aware that eighty percent of our body’s immune system is located in the intestines. All kinds of pathogens are fought there. By increasing the secretion of digestive juices, bitter substances ensure that the surface of the intestinal mucosa is moistened and thus remains supple and mobile. 

The cardiovascular system is also stimulated by bitter substances. They increase the blood flow to the organs and thus improve their function.

The blood vessels thus remain flexible and protect you from high blood pressure. 

Bitter substances for a good figure 

Almost everyone is aware of the following: we eat too much, too much fat and too much sweet food. Modern manufactured food tempts us to keep eating and we become overweight. The kilos keep piling on, we feel unwell and, in the worst case, we become ill. We go on a diet and lose weight temporarily. But because we do not fundamentally change our diet, we put on weight again and the whole thing repeats itself.

Bitter substances can help break this vicious circle. They naturally curb our appetite and we stop eating when enough is enough. The craving for sweet food also disappears when there are enough bitter substances in the food. Bitter substances in our food stimulate our metabolism in such a way that fat burning also runs at full speed.

Preventing malignant tumours 

There are some studies that suggest that bitter substances prevent cancer. In particular, colon cancer is less likely to develop in a healthy gut flora.