Have you ever had stomach discomfort like bloating, pain, and wind, especially after a heavy meal? Stomach pain after eating can have many causes, but most commonly it is due to indigestion or dyspepsia, which means the body cannot digest the food normally after eating, resulting in symptoms like abdominal pain or discomfort. 1 

What Is Indigestion (Dyspepsia) 

Indigestion is an intestinal disorder in which  your body cannot fully  digest food, causing various gastrointestinal symptoms 2,3 such as:

• Painful stomach 
• Bloating 
• Excessive wind or gas (flatulence)
• Frequent burping or belching 
• Heartburn 
• Vomiting 

What Happens When Food Is Not Digested Properly 

When you eat, food normally is broken down, digested and absorbed through your gastrointestinal tract or GI tract. 

However, if the food is not digested properly, this could mean that you are not absorbing enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals from your food during this digestive process.4 This could ultimately lead to nutrient wasting, especially if you are taking supplements or a complete nutrition formula. Examples of such situations include athletes who regularly consume protein supplements and the elderly who consume food in the form of complete nutrition powder. Athletes and sportsmen consume protein powder for muscle building, and thus protein absorption is considered an important factor in building the body. On the other hand, elderly regularly consume complete nutrition formula (eg. milk formula for adults) as dietary support for muscle loss.  

So, protein in food is an extremely important nutrient for building new tissue, muscle, wound healing and more. If it is not fully digested and absorbed completely, you may lose muscle strength and feel weaker! 

The Digestion Process Of Protein 

Digestion of protein requires stomach acids and digestive enzymes, specifically pepsin.5 The process begins in the, 

1. Stomach: Stomach acid activates stomach enzymes called pepsin to break down proteins (big molecules) from food into shorter polypeptides. 
2. Pancreas: Another enzyme called peptidases is released by the pancreas to further break down the polypeptides into even smaller peptides called amino acids. 
3. Small intestine: Amino acids are then transported through the small intestine and absorbed into the bloodstream, where they are fully absorbed by tissues to support their function. 
4. Colon: Undigested proteins are transported to the colon where they are fermented.

(Read below to learn how undigested protein can be harmful to the body.) 

However, ensuring a healthy protein intake is not as simple as it sounds. Many of the factors listed below can interfere with protein digestion and absorption. 6,7  

• The stomach acid level 
• Antacid medications (used to reduce stomach acid) can interfere with  digestion of protein 
• The level of digestive enzymes 
• Type and quality of protein
• Animal protein has higher bioavailability than plant protein 
• Amount of protein in a meal 
• Age factor 
• Protein digestion  slows down with age
• Gut health 
• A healthy and balanced gut microbiota can improve protein absorption 

Image credit from Kale, Ravindra. (2022). Role of short-chain fatty acids in modulation of gut health. Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment. 20. 19-22. 10.1234/4.2022.5605. 

What Happens To Undigested Protein 

Protein digestion and colon (large intestine) health are closely linked. 

As the picture above shows, more bacteria are found as we progress from the stomach down into the colon.8 When protein is undigested, it is transported into the colon, where most bacteria reside. 

The bacteria start to ferment the undigested protein. Excessive protein fermentation can breed harmful bacteria and lead to the production of toxic metabolites such as ammonia, amines, phenols, and sulfides. These harmful byproducts of fermentation can damage the healthy gut microbiota and contribute to the development of colorectal cancer.9

Probiotic Bacillus coagulans BC30 Improves Protein Absorption 

Probiotics are essential digestive support. The addition of  Bacillus coagulans BC30TM is proven to improve protein digestion and absorption.7, 10  

One study has shown that adding BC30TM to a dietary protein source, such as dairy formula, significantly increased the digestion of milk protein and improved the absorption of amino acids into the bloodstream.10 BC30TM  has been found to decrease protein transfer into the colon and inhibit the production of harmful metabolites by the gut bacteria.10  

Another scientific review of the Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins found that this lactic acid-producing BC30TM can survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach and reach the intestine to improve protein digestion.10,11 

Benefits of Improved Protein Digestion with Bacillus coagulans BC30TM 

Protein plays a critical role in maintaining numerous bodily functions. To maximize protein absorption, take Probiotics BC30TM after a protein-rich meal to optimize protein utilization and associated benefits.

1. Preserving  muscle strength in the aging population 

• Progressive loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) is common past 40 years old. Combined with the age-related decrease in absorption GI, most elderly can no longer absorb sufficient protein which eventually leads to a further decrease in muscle mass. Thus, efficient protein absorption is essential to prevent further loss of muscle mass and strength.
• BC30TM  leads to higher protein absorption efficiency.
• One study has shown that BC30TM increased the absorption of amino acids for muscle retention10, especially when taken with a complete nutrition milk formula.

2. Improving muscle recovery and performance in athletes 

• Athletes and sportsmen regularly take protein supplements for building and recovery. It is important that proteins are absorbed efficiently to avoid wastage.
• BC30TM has been shown to increase the absorption of essential amino acids, including leucine,  by 20%. 10  
• Leucine has been shown to stimulate new muscle growth more effectively. 10 
• Combining BC30TM with protein can reduce muscle damage and improve recovery, leading to increased  performance. 12
• The International Society of Sports Nutrition recognises BC30TM may be beneficial for athletes. 13

3. Supporting protein intake and absorption in pregnant and breastfeeding mom 

• Pregnant and breastfeeding moms need additional protein to support fetal growth and milk production.

Kordel’s BEWELL BC30 Jujubes 

At Kordel's, we have introduced a new concept of probiotics in the form of chewable gummies known as jujubes. 

Unlike traditional probiotics in capsule or tablet form, these innovative jujubes offer a convenient and hassle-free way to consume probiotics, without the inconvenience of refrigeration or the difficulty of swallowing capsules or tablets. 

To get the full benefits of Kordel’s BEWELL BC30 Jujubes, it is recommended to consume one jujube after each meal. This will aid in the digestion and absorption of protein in your body. 

In addition, Kordel’s BEWELL BC30 Jujubes also offer the following benefits:

• Improvement of the production of  digestive enzymes
• Promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate which are crucial for maintaining the health and lining of the gut 
• Improving the absorption of amino acids into the bloodstream 
• Improving the  protein digestion from milk and plant proteins 
• Improving  gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain and bloating 
• Prevention indigestion after meals
• Prevention and reduction the risk of colorectal cancer

Whether you are an older person looking to improve your protein digestion, a teenager trying to build muscle, or a woman or pregnant mother in need of extra nutrients, these jujubes are the perfect solution. And, since the instructions are easy to follow and there are no known side effects, there's no reason not to try them today! 

• • Menthol Eucalyptus Jujubes
  • Enriched with Bacillus Coagulans BC30 (500 million CFU)
  • Suitable for all ages, including pregnant women
  • Contains menthol and peppermint oil, eucalyptus, gum acacia and BC30

Recommended dosage

Adults: take 2-4 jujubes daily

Children: take 1-2 jujubes daily 

References 

1. Indigestion: Symptoms, Causes & How to Find Relief. (2023). Retrieved 14 September 2023, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/7316-indigestion-dyspepsia#:~:text=Indigestion%20is%20pain%20or%20discomfort,isn't%20going%20quite%20right.
2. (Dyspepsia), I. (2023). Indigestion (Dyspepsia) - NIDDK. Retrieved 14 September 2023, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/indigestion-dyspepsia
3. Why Do I Have Indigestion? (2023). Retrieved 14 September 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/indigestion#symptoms
4. What to Know About Undigested Food in Your Stool. (2023). Retrieved 14 September 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-to-know-about-undigested-food-in-stool
5. OpenLearn, Protein digestion and absorption, accessed November 2020 
6. What is Protein Absorption, and How is it Beneficial? - BC30. (2023). Retrieved 14 September 2023, from https://bc30probiotic.com/idea-center/expert-insight/
7. How Is Protein Digested?. (2023). Retrieved 14 September 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/protein-digestion#takeaway
8. Kale, Ravindra. (2022). Role of short-chain fatty acids in modulation of gut health. Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment. 20. 19-22. 10.1234/4.2022.5605. 
9. Windey K, De Preter V, Verbeke K. Relevance of protein fermentation to gut health. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 Jan;56(1):184-96. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201100542. Epub 2011 Nov 25. PMID: 22121108.
10. Stecker, R.A., Moon, J.M., Russo, T.J. et al. Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 improves amino acid absorption from milk protein. Nutr Metab (Lond) 17, 93 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-020-00515-2
11. Jäger, R., Purpura, M., Farmer, S., Cash, H., & Keller, D. (2017). Probiotic Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 Improves Protein Absorption and Utilization. Probiotics And Antimicrobial Proteins, 10(4), 611-615. doi: 10.1007/s12602-017-9354-y
12. Jager R, Shields KA, Lowery RP, De Souza EO, Partl JM, Hollmer C, Purpura M, Wilson JM. (2016) Probiotic Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 Reduces Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage and Increases Recovery. PeerJ, 4:e2276.
13. Jäger R, Mohr AE, Carpenter KC, Kerksick CM, Purpura M, Moussa A, Townsend JR, Lamprecht M, West NP, Black K, Gleeson M, Pyne DB, Wells SD, Arent SM, Smith-Ryan AE, Kreider RB, Campbell BI, Bannock L, Scheiman J, Wissent CJ, Pane M, Kalman DS, Pugh JN, Ter Haar JA, Antonio J. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019 Dec 21;16(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s12970-019-0329-0. PMID: 31864419; PMCID: PMC6925426.