How To Take Digestive Bitters (2024)

FAQs

How do you take digestive bitters? ›

How to take digestive bitters: “To take bitters, drop one serving (usually around ¼ tsp) onto your tongue and hold them in your mouth for about 10-15 seconds, until you start to salivate. You'll want the bitter tincture to fall all across your tongue, as we have bitter receptors on our entire tongue,” says Zellner.

Typically, though, you'll place a few drops (or sprays, depending on the format) onto your tongue about 15 minutes before a meal. This gives them time to kick in before you eat. Unfortunately, there's no way to avoid the taste of bitters, as the impact of bitterness is the whole point.

Adding bitters to your day is easy – simply take 1-1.5 ml (30-45 drops) 3 times daily, in a little water, on an empty stomach. Take 15-60 minutes before meals, after a heavy meal, or when discomfort occurs.

You only need a few drops. Bitters are very potent, and dosing and frequency will vary on what you're using them for. But often a few drops will do. You can take them internally either by placing a few drops from a tincture on the tongue or diluting with another liquid, such as sparkling water or in co*cktails.

Just because you're "not supposed to" drink bitters straight doesn't mean you can't. It might not taste great, but it'll get the job done.

Because of the gut-brain connection, not only can bitters enhance digestion, but they can reduce depression and improve mood. They also support your liver's natural detoxification processes, and thus can improve skin health.

You can also be allergic to the herbs used in bitters. People who are pregnant and breastfeeding shouldn't take bitters. They also shouldn't be given to children as they often are infused in alcohol. People who have gastrointestinal disease shouldn't take bitters as they might irritate your digestive system.

However, there's no need to refrigerate bitters. Even though there are organic compounds in bitters, the amount of alcohol acts as a natural sterilizer and preservation agent. So, feel free to leave it on your bar cart or in your liquor storage cabinets without having to worry.

However, consuming bitters when you don't have digestive issues may actually lead to digestive problems. This includes acid reflux, nausea and an upset stomach. So digestive bitters shouldn't be casually added to your daily routine if you don't need any relief from digestive distress.

Emerging evidence suggests that bitter foods, such as apple cider vinegar, ginger and leafy greens, can be seriously good for our gut health. And most of us are a few centuries late to the game.

Can you mix digestive bitters with water? ›

Unfortunately, when you add water it does dilute the bitter flavor as well. For this reason, our Digestive Bitters are best taken directly on the tongue. That said, if you are going to mix in water, we recommend mixing a dose in a normal-sized cup with an inch or so of water in it.

Anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon of bitters in a glass of soda water before or after a meal will help rev up your digestion. It particularly helps after a rich, decadent meal. This is also why many cultures sip bitter liqueurs before or after meals, like the Italian aperitivos and amaros.

Digestive bitters are prescribed to take 10-15 minutes before eating a meal. However, it can be easy to forget, so taking them with or just after eating can still be helpful.

Bitters holistically activate the body's own various digestive mechanisms,whereas enzymes temporarily supplement one component of digestion. Digestive enzyme supplements perform the role of breaking down the enzymes of certain foods in the meals you eat – but digestion is so much more complex!

A: Bitters typically do not have an expiration date. Because of this, most bitters have a shelf life comparable to any spirit: essentially indefinite.

Some herbs might not be safe for some health conditions like epilepsy, kidney disease, liver disease, low blood pressure, and bleeding disorders. You can also be allergic to the herbs used in bitters. People who are pregnant and breastfeeding shouldn't take bitters.