Milly Gaines
Bitters are herbal tinctures that aid digestion and are said to provide relief from indigestion, heartburn, nausea, cramping, bloating, and gas. They are made by infusing bitter ingredients like herbs, roots, bark, fruit, seeds, or flowers in alcohol or apple cider vinegar. The alcohol or vinegar extracts the bitter taste from the herbs and preserves the liquid. Bitters can be purchased or made at home and are typically consumed by placing a few drops on the tongue before or after meals. They can also be added to food and drinks to make digestive tonics. However, it is important to note that bitters may not be suitable for everyone, especially pregnant women, and it is recommended to consult a doctor before consuming them.
How do I add bitters to my diet?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are bitters? | Concentrated blends of bitter herbs, spices, barks, fruits, flowers, or roots (also known as botanicals) infused in high-proof alcohol or apple cider vinegar. |
| How do they work? | Bitters stimulate bitter taste receptors on the tongue, signalling to the brain to perceive bitterness. This triggers the vagus nerve to relay the bitter sensation to the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and liver, promoting the production of digestive juices and enzymes. |
| Benefits | Bitters can aid digestion, relieve bloating, gas, indigestion, and heartburn, and reduce overeating. They may also boost the immune system, control blood sugar, and help with detoxification. |
| Precautions | Bitters may not be suitable for everyone. They are not regulated and can have possible side effects like heartburn, acid reflux, upset stomach, and allergies. Consult a doctor before use, especially if pregnant, as some ingredients are not recommended during pregnancy. |
| How to use | Start with small doses (a few drops or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon) 10-30 minutes before meals. Hold in the mouth until you start salivating, then swallow. Bitters can also be added to food or drinks like tea, coffee, or cocktails. |
| DIY bitters | Combine bittering agents, aromatics, and alcohol using a 1:5 ratio. Store in a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in a cool, dry place for a few weeks to infuse. |
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What You'll Learn
- Bitters can be used to aid digestion and relieve symptoms like bloating, gas, heartburn and indigestion
- They can be made with glycerine, liquid sugar, non-alcoholic spirit or infused in vinegar
- Bitters may help control overeating by stimulating the production of PYY and GLP-1 hormones
- They can be added to tea, coffee, salads, or even while cooking or baking
- Bitters should be avoided by pregnant women, children and those with certain health conditions
Bitters can be used to aid digestion and relieve symptoms like bloating, gas, heartburn and indigestion
Bitters are a blend of bitter herbs, spices, barks, fruits, flowers, or roots (also called botanicals) infused in high-proof alcohol or apple cider vinegar. They are called bitters because they are flavoured with pungent-tasting plant extracts. Bitters can be used to aid digestion and relieve symptoms like bloating, gas, heartburn, and indigestion.
Bitters work by stimulating the bitter taste receptors in your taste buds, which signal different activities in your digestive system to start, such as the production of saliva, bile, and stomach acid. This can help with heartburn, cramping, and indigestion. Bitters can also help with nausea, nervous butterflies, and morning sickness. They can also be used to address overeating.
To add bitters to your diet, you can make your own blend or purchase a small vial with a dropper. For general use, put one dose (usually around one-fourth to one-half teaspoon) on your tongue and hold it there for 10 to 15 seconds until you start salivating, then swallow. You can also add a few drops to food or drinks. For example, add a slice of lemon, honey, and one dropper full of digestive bitters to hot water.
It is important to note that bitters are not for everyone. They are not regulated, so you cannot be sure of the concentrations, and they may interact with certain medications. You should always check with your doctor before adding bitters to your diet, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain health conditions.
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They can be made with glycerine, liquid sugar, non-alcoholic spirit or infused in vinegar
Bitters are infusions created from predominantly bitter ingredients, combined with a carrier, which is usually alcohol. However, you can make bitters without alcohol, using glycerine, liquid sugar, non-alcoholic spirits, or by infusing them in vinegar.
Glycerine-based bitters
Glycerine-based bitters are made by steeping herbs or botanicals in three parts glycerine and one part water. The glycerine acts as a solvent, in the same way that alcohol does when making alcoholic bitters.
Liquid sugar-based bitters
Liquid sugar can be used as a carrier for bitters, in the same way that glycerine or non-alcoholic spirits can be used. You can also add simple syrup to your bitters when making a cocktail.
Non-alcoholic spirit-based bitters
Non-alcoholic spirit-based bitters can be made using a non-alcoholic spirit like Seedlip. In a cocktail, you can use a combination of three parts spirit, two parts bitter, and one part sweet. The amount of bitters used in a non-alcoholic cocktail will be less than in an alcoholic cocktail, due to the high concentration of flavour in the bitters.
Vinegar-infused bitters
Vinegar-infused bitters are made in the same way as glycerine-based bitters, with vinegar taking the place of glycerine.
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Bitters may help control overeating by stimulating the production of PYY and GLP-1 hormones
Bitters are a blend of bitter herbs, spices, barks, fruits, flowers, or roots (also known as botanicals) infused in high-proof alcohol or apple cider vinegar. They are claimed to help with digestion and control overeating.
The human gut secretes over 30 different regulatory peptide hormones, including peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). These hormones are stimulated by gut nutrient content and interact with receptors at various points in the 'gut-brain axis' to affect short-term and intermediate-term feelings of hunger and satiety. Gastric bypass patients, for example, demonstrate increased levels of PYY and GLP-1, especially after meals, which results in diminished appetite.
Consuming bitter foods stimulates the production of PYY and GLP-1 hormones, which help control overeating. Bitters may also help with digestion by stimulating your taste buds to create more saliva, which jumpstarts your digestive system. Saliva contributes to the breakdown of starches and fats.
To add bitters to your diet, you can make your own blend or purchase a small vial with a dropper. For general use, place one dose (usually around one-fourth to one-half teaspoon) on your tongue 10–30 minutes before a meal. Hold the liquid on your tongue until you start salivating (about 10–15 seconds), then swallow. You can also add bitters to your food or drinks. For example, you can replace vanilla extract with bitters in your baking or infuse maple syrup with bitters to pour over your pancakes.
It is important to note that bitters are not for everyone. They are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so it is uncertain what the concentrations are. Always check with your doctor before adding bitters to your diet, especially if you are pregnant or have certain health conditions.
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They can be added to tea, coffee, salads, or even while cooking or baking
Bitters are a blend of bitter herbs, spices, barks, fruits, flowers, or roots (also known as botanicals) infused in high-proof alcohol or apple cider vinegar. They can be added to tea, coffee, salads, or even while cooking or baking.
If you're looking to add bitters to your diet, you can either make your own blend or purchase a small vial with a dropper. If you're purchasing bitters, it's important to check the ingredient list and ensure that it only contains natural ingredients without any synthetic preservatives or parabens.
Tea and Coffee: You can add a few drops of bitters to your tea or coffee. This is a simple way to get the benefits of bitters without significantly altering the taste of your drink.
Salads: Bitters can be added directly to your salad to enhance the flavour and provide digestive benefits. You can massage the herbs with your hands to release some of the bitterness and make them more palatable. Combining bitters with sweet or spicy flavours can also help balance the bitterness.
Cooking and Baking: Bitters can be added while cooking or used in place of vanilla extract in baking. For example, you can add a citrus blend of bitters to a lemon pie or poach fruit with a cinnamon, clove, and cardamom blend. You can also infuse a black walnut or ginger blend with maple syrup to pour over your pancakes.
It's important to start with small doses of bitters to assess your body's reaction. Bitters may not be suitable for everyone, so it's always recommended to consult your doctor before adding them to your diet, especially if you have any health concerns or are taking medication.
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Bitters should be avoided by pregnant women, children and those with certain health conditions
Bitters are herbal tinctures that can aid digestion and boost the immune system. They are often infused in high-proof alcohol or vinegar and can be purchased or made at home. However, despite their potential benefits, bitters are not suitable for everyone and should be avoided by certain individuals.
Pregnant women should refrain from consuming bitters, particularly those containing angelica root, yarrow, mugwort, passionflower, and wormwood. These herbs may induce harmful uterine contractions, leading to potential miscarriage or premature labour. Additionally, burdock root may negatively impact diabetes medications, which are crucial for managing blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
Children should also avoid bitters, especially those infused in alcohol. While small doses may be safe for healthy children, unrestricted access to supplements is not recommended.
Furthermore, individuals with specific health conditions should exercise caution when considering bitters. Those with epilepsy, kidney disease, liver disease, low blood pressure, or bleeding disorders may experience adverse effects from certain herbs present in bitters. For example, gentian root is not suitable for individuals with low blood pressure, and wormwood should be avoided by those with kidney disorders or a history of seizures.
It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating bitters into your diet, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications. Bitters can interact with various drugs, including anticoagulants, diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, insulin, and hypoglycemics. Therefore, seeking medical advice can help prevent potential negative consequences and ensure your safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Bitters are a blend of bitter herbs, spices, barks, fruits, flowers or roots (also known as botanicals) infused in high-proof alcohol or apple cider vinegar. They are used to improve digestion and relieve bloating, gas, indigestion, and heartburn.
You can add bitters to your diet by placing a few drops of bitters on your tongue before or after meals. Alternatively, you can add a few drops to water, hot drinks, or use them to flavour your food.
Bitters are not safe for pregnant or breastfeeding people, or children. People with epilepsy, kidney disease, liver disease, low blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or gastrointestinal disease should also avoid bitters. If you are taking medication, consult your doctor before using bitters.
