So sorry, babe. We just can’t have sex tonight… my stomach is killing me.
That’s not the start of a medical journal article – that’s a real conversation I had with my wife, Jos. For years she struggled with bloating, pain, and frustratingly little support from specialists. And if you think this is TMI, hang in there. Because understanding digestion means talking about the thing no one wants to talk about: poop.
From Bloat to Breakthrough After trying every typical constipation remedy (drink water, take fiber, try this supplement, try that suppository), nothing worked. And then one day in 2020, I found an article on pineapple core. Apparently it contains powerful natural digestive enzymes.
We tried it. We blended the core with water and gave it a shot before Jos ate her old nemesis: steamed broccoli. The results? Zero pain. For the first time in years. It was the beginning of a complete shift in how we approached her digestive health.
Pineapple Core Digestive Shot Recipe
- 1 pineapple core (the tough center)
- 2 cups water or sparkling water
- Optional: lemon juice or sea salt
Blend and store in the fridge. Drink 1–2 oz before meals that usually cause issues. Not a miracle cure, but a game-changer for Jos – and maybe for you.
What Your Poop is Telling You Yes, your poop is trying to talk to you. Here’s what you should know:
- Aim for smooth, sausage-shaped, easy-to-pass stools
- Hydrate first thing in the morning and throughout the day
- Eat fiber-rich foods (35g/day for men, 25g for women)
- Move your body to promote gut motility
- Reduce stress – it messes with digestion more than you think
- Use a footstool in the bathroom to elevate knees (hello, Squatty Potty).
For parents: introduce your kids to the Bristol Stool Chart and normalize poop talk. It’s gross. It’s funny. It’s health.
Bottom line: When the bowels are happy, the whole body runs better. Don’t be afraid to look down. Your poop has answers.
To your health!
Derek Opperman
Chief Wellness Officer at LifeUP
“I help parents reclaim their energy — not just physically, but emotionally too. Because when you feel better, everything in your life lights up: your parenting, your patience, your purpose. My approach is about small changes that ripple out into big transformation.”
