We mentioned earlier that a slightly acidic body can affect bowel movement. Therefore, a good pH balance of our body must be maintained at all time to improve intestinal health and to enhance regularity of bowel movements. The key to achieve so, certainly, comes from our diet.

The Japanese has always been regarded as longevity experts who know how to stay healthy throughout their long life. They do have unique insight into maintaining intestinal health. Traditionally, umeboshi, or salted Japanese plums, are something that everyone – from the emperor to the commoners – eat to keep their stomach and intestines healthy. During the Kamakura period when Japanese samurais fought in battles, they brought umeboshi with them. In fact, umeboshi was the secret to maintaining healthy bowel movements for Japanese samurais. Today, the Japanese still eat umeboshi every day to support gastro-intestinal health. It is usually served with green tea or pu’er tea to maintain the intestinal pH balance, which helps combat faecal accumulation and prevent central obesity.