Sip This Spiced Milk to Ease Holiday Overindulgence

A blend of winter spices can bring comfort and support to your digestion after rich seasonal meals.

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With Thanksgiving just behind us and the cookie season looming, the holiday season can tax our digestive systems. Feeling bloated or sluggish is typical after eating too many sugary treats, greasy meats, and the occasional drink—all of which can place a significant burden on the liver, gallbladder, and intestinal tract.

To the rescue are holiday spices that have long been used to support digestion. For enhanced digestibility, our ancestors often added sagewort to their Christmas goose dinners and incorporated plenty of spices into their holiday baking. Modern science confirms the power of these herbal digestive helpers. From allspice to vanilla, we still rely on these winter spices in our kitchens today—but do you really know what they can do for your digestive health?

What Happens When Digestion Slows Down?

Usually, food takes one to three days to move through the digestive system, though timing varies from person to person. Factors such as hydration, physical activity, stress, and certain medications can influence how quickly or slowly things move.