Digestive Bitters: Not just a digestive aide

As we evolved as humans our bodies were used to eating lots of bitter foods.  At this time, a bitter tasting food sent a warning signal to the brain that you were consuming something toxic.  This activated the digestive enzymes enabling the food to be broken down and digested effectively.  These days our diets are composed of primarily sweet and salty, not so much the bitter.  This leads to the sluggish digestion, and its side effects (i.e. gas, bloating, heartburn) that is so prevalent today.  The solution?  Digestive Bitters.

Digestive Bitters have been around for a long time.  Used early on as a healing tonic, it evolved into the very definition of the "cocktail" as bartenders discovered its ability to mellow out the harsh flavor of certain liquors.  A digestive bitter is usually formulated of a blend of roots, herbs, barks, fruit peels, seeds, spices and flowers infused in a high-proof alcohol.  It works as a kind of all-purpose digestive aide as it not only helps with problems of gas and bloating, but can also restore a hydrochloric acid balance in your stomach.

Bitters are a trigger for the digestive system, like a work-out.  They challenge it, help keep it toned.  And you don't even have to injest it to achieve the benefits, simply swishing a digestive bitter around in your mouth will stimulate your digestive enzymes.  But this is not all a digestive bitter can accomplish.  Taken internally bitters can also work as a mild detox, maintain healthy liver fiction, healthy skin, and blood sugar balance.

At the Co-op we carry Urban Moonshine's wonderful line of digestive bitters, all USDA certified organic.  I put about a dropper full in a glass of sparkling water and drink this before or after meals to stimulate digestion.  But there are many other ways to use bitters, here is my favorite:

Bitters Vinaigrette

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white wine, cider, or balsamic vinegar

1 TBLS. lemon juice

1 TBLS. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. Urban Moonshine bitters
1 tsp. fresh thyme

                         Salt & pepper to taste

                         Combine all ingredients, shake to emulsify.