History credits Napoleon with saying: "An army marches on its stomach." He could well have stated, "A healthy army marches on a healthy digestive system." In fact, a hale and hearty digestive system is responsible for overall general health. To maintain and keep it sound involves three things: what you eat, when you eat it and proper exercise.

Diet

Let's face it. Your stomach will take in almost anything you feed it. Consider, however, that not all foods are created equal. Certain foods you can digest more easily. A good example is fibrous food, either soluble or insoluble. These are indispensable in helping your digestive tract remain clear and functioning properly. The best sources for these types of food are plant life, e.g. vegetables, grains and fruit.

Whole grains, vegetables and fruits are the ideal answer for maintaining a regular digestive system. They are high in vitamins and minerals. They are, also, a significant source of fiber. Fiber is required to ease the passage of stools and to firm or bulk it up.

There are two types of fiber. Soluble fiber is common in oats, fruits and legumes. It is a stool softener, easing its passage and preventing constipation. Insoluble fibers, located in vegetables and whole grains (brown rice, barley, wild rice), will bulk up stools. If you wish to achieve a healthy digestive system, the two must act together, working to prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.

When you eat your meals is also important if you want to achieve digestive health. When you eat at the same time every day, you regulate your system. You allow the body a period to digest previous foods and prepare for the next meal. This prevents indigestion, bloating and other digestive problems. It is a simple thing to do. You, basically, have to ensure you eat according to a regulated or regular timetable. Integrate your meals into your work and play schedule. If you want to achieve digestive health, you cannot make eating an afterthought.

Exercise

If you want to achieve a healthy digestive system, you need to exercise regularly. Exercise helps you accomplish three things:

• Maintain a healthy weight,

• Decrease incidents of indigestion and

• Stimulate the digestive tract.

If you are overweight, you are more likely to have digestive problem. Reduce the excessive weight and you improve your digestive health.

Taking part in regular exercise is important in two specific ways. On the one hand, movement stimulates the digestive system. It helps with the passing of food throughout the system. It helps your digestive tract function properly. On the other hand, exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight. This, in turn, reduces pressure on the digestive system.

Achieving a healthy digestive system is not difficult. It involves, however, taking the time to consider what you eat and when you do so combined with a daily dose of exercise. If you establish good eating habits then follow it up with healthy exercise you will not only achieve digestive health but also maintain it.