Digestive system weakens with old age, expert warns

Retirees may need to review their diets to ensure they are taking in nutrient-rich foods as their digestive system weakens with old age, an expert has warned.

Although retirees might believe they are getting enough vitamins and minerals though their dietary choices, the reality is that the older they get, the more difficult it is for the body to absorb the appropriate nutrition, suggested Tony Bishop-Weston, food writer and founder of Foods for Life.

He said: “As we get older, we often have weakened digestive systems and find it harder to absorb nutrients and also have smaller appetites.

“So it is even more important to eat nutrient dense food rather than calorie dense food.”

The expert recommended eating more while foods, that are naturally rich in soluble fibre, anti-oxidants and essential fats.

To avoid that wrong kind of fats that can clog arteries, the NHS advises retirees to pass up food with added sugar, instead opting for the likes of fresh fruit, where the sugars occur naturally.

Posted by Liam Tomlinson