Top 10 worst foods for your digestive health

The easiest way to take care of your digestive health is by monitoring the foods you eat. Here are 10 foods that may cause digestive upset, so try to avoid them.

Many people develop sensitivities to dairy products as they get older. This can cause gas, bloating and other stomach problems. Try to consume dairy products in moderation or look for dairy substitutes.

Spicy foods stimulate the digestive system and can be quite upsetting to the stomach. Try to stay away from very spicy chiles, or just use them in moderation.

Saccharin, or other artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, are very hard to digest. They can prevent your stomach from soaking up nutrients from other sources, too. Check food labels before you buy to make sure they don't contain any of these harmful sweeteners.

Tomato sauce might seem like it's harmless, but it's very high in acid, which can be hard for many people to digest. The result can be a lot of indigestion and acid reflux. Try to veer away from tomato sauce, especially if your stomach is already upset.

Fried foods and fatty foods can wreak havoc on your digestive tract and they can cause constipation or diarrhoea. Try to avoid fatty and greasy foods like butter, ice cream, red meat and anything deep fried.

Super-sweet foods are hard for your body to digest as well. Some people have a hard time processing sugars, and the body doesn't like too many sugary or rich treats in general.

Processed foods contain added preservatives and have very little health value, meaning they can contribute to digestive problems. Processed foods may also contain lactose, which can cause extra stomach issues for people with dairy allergies.

Popcorn is notoriously tough on the stomach. The kernels are very hard to break down and digest, so they can cause damage to your digestive system while your body is trying to process them.

Coffee can be hard on your stomach, especially if you drink it on an empty stomach. Also, some sodas and teas are high in caffeine and can be hard on your belly as well.

While they might sound refreshing, carbonated beverages can interfere with digestion, causing your stomach to ache. Stay away from bubbles if you have a sensitive stomach, especially sodas that have other chemicals in them.