Key Guidelines for Restoring Digestive Health

The Vithas hospitals in Andalusia (Vithas Málaga, Vithas Granada, Vithas Almería, Vithas Xanit Internacional, and Vithas Sevilla) warn about the impact of dietary excesses during the holidays on the health of the population. According to various studies, seven out of ten Spaniards suffer from some type of gastrointestinal discomfort during or after the festivities, a period in which caloric intake can increase significantly, often exceeding 3,000 or 4,000 calories in main meals.

This increase in the consumption of fats, sugars, and alcohol, combined with the disruption of usual schedules, leads to a significant rise in consultations for dyspepsia (heavy digestion), gastroesophageal reflux, and intestinal transit disorders. In this context, several Vithas specialists in the region come together to offer a series of professional advice to safely and effectively restore metabolic and digestive balance.

Dr. David Marín García, a specialist in Digestive System at Vithas Málaga Hospital, reminds us that digestive health is closely linked to the overall lifestyle. "Recovering digestive health depends not only on what we eat but also on how we activate our metabolism. Resuming moderate physical activity helps improve intestinal transit and reduce abdominal heaviness. The goal should be sustainability: small, sustained changes over time are more effective than large, sporadic efforts that the body cannot process after the digestive stress of the holidays," he concludes.

Furthermore, the specialist recommends avoiding tobacco use and reducing coffee consumption, as they are irritants of the gastric mucosa. "The key is in moderation and listening to the body's signals to naturally and durably restore digestive balance."

Meanwhile, Ana García Navarro, coordinator of the Obesity Unit at Vithas Granada Hospital, explains that the goal of losing weight is especially common at the beginning of the year, but reminds us that obesity is a chronic disease that requires an appropriate medical approach. As a specialist in Digestive Surgery, García Navarro emphasizes that "when attempts with diets or exercise do not yield the expected results, it is essential to seek professional help to make an accurate diagnosis and design a personalized treatment, tailored to the needs of each patient."

In line with these so-called miracle diets, specialist José Luis Esteller, a nutritionist at Vithas Almería Hospital, recommends gradually resuming healthy habits, avoiding extreme diets or quick solutions. "The digestive system does not need drastic restrictions to recover, but rather a return to a balanced, orderly diet adapted to each person." In this regard, he advises structuring the day into several meals, keeping regular schedules, and prioritizing moderate portions.

After periods of excesses, travel, or schedule changes, it is common for the digestive system to suffer from bloating, heaviness, or slow digestions. These imbalances have a lot to do with the intestinal microbiota, an ecosystem very sensitive to changes in diet, rest, or stress. Dr. Pedro Rosón, head of the Digestive service at Vithas Xanit Internacional Hospital, reminds us that, to regain balance, the goal is not to "compensate" abruptly, but to gradually return to a stable digestive routine: establishing regular schedules, opting for moderate portions, and gradually reintroducing fiber-rich foods, so that the microbiota can adapt without causing further discomfort.

Lastly, we must not forget that the so-called detox diets or restrictive plans that proliferate after periods of excess pose a real risk to health. This is warned by Dr. Cristóbal Morales, a specialist in Endocrinology and Nutrition at Vithas Sevilla Hospital. According to him, "uncontrolled fasting and other methods promising quick purification can trigger acute metabolic imbalances, significant muscle mass loss, and even pathologies resulting from excessive consumption of certain nutrients." In this context, Dr. Morales points out that "it has been proven that these strict diets fail and promote the dreaded rebound effect. He also notes that the new pharmacological treatments based on GLP-1 agonists have transformed the approach to obesity and will be decisive in 2026."