Do Those ‘Digestif’ Drinks on the Dessert Menu Actually Help With Digestion?

Especially in Europe, people have been enjoying digestifs for hundreds of years. “Typically offered in small portions, up to 1 to 2 ounces max, they are thought to help the body meet the digestive demands of a large meal,” Danielle VenHuizein, RD, a Seattle-based dietitian who focuses on gut health, tells Well+Good.

Though there’s not a *ton* of research to back this up, it’s possible that some types of after-dinner drinks might help your GI tract process a meal. Below are some caveats you also should consider.

Do 'digestifs' help with digestion?

First things first: Your body already has the digestive process down pat, which starts the moment food enters your mouth and you start producing saliva. By the time the chewed food reaches your stomach, digestive enzymes and stomach acids are ready and waiting to further break the food down into smaller pieces before sending it on to your small intestine, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

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Eating a big, rich meal can slow this process down just because there’s more food—and usually, more fat—for your stomach acids to get through. That’s where digestifs are thought to come in. Several of these after-dinner drinks have substances called bitter compounds¹, which studies have shown can boost the production of saliva in your mouth and thereby increase the stomach’s output² of digestive enzymes and juices. This process may help your stomach break down food more efficiently, especially when there's a lot of it, VenHuizen says.

But unfortunately, the studies on this process so far have been limited and only focus on bitter compounds alone, not the bitter compounds found in after-dinner liqueurs or mixed drinks. “We have no evidence that after-dinner liqueurs support digestion,” says VenHuizen.

When compared to other digestion strategies like taking an after-dinner walk, an older study found that digestifs did not affect the rate³ at which food moved through a person's stomach. (Walking, on the other hand, did encourage food to move more quickly through the GI tract.)

Additionally, some qualities of alcoholic drinks just aren't great for digestion. "Alcohol, in general, can irritate the esophagus, which could affect reflux or GERD symptoms. Also, because bitters help ramp up stomach acid production, this could make some people have stronger reflux symptoms," like a burning pain in the stomach and chest, a sore throat, or trouble swallowing, VenHuizen says.

Bottom line: It's unclear whether bitter digestifs will help all that much with digestion. But if alcohol does not give you acid reflux or other unwanted symptoms, a small amount after dinner (now and then) may be worth a try.

Tips for enjoying after-dinner drinks

Unless you find that alcohol irritates your stomach or gives you heartburn, it’s generally okay to enjoy an after-dinner drink, VenHuizen says. You’ll just want to keep the following things in mind, she says:

• Pick something that tastes legit bitter. Sweet after-dinner drinks (we’re looking at you, port or mulled wine) typically don’t have bitter compounds, so they’re not going to deliver any potential digestion benefits, notes VenHuizen. Bitter-tasting options like Campari, Amaro, and Peychaud’s are more likely to have the desired effect. (Aperol spritz, anyone?)
• Have a small amount. Keep your drink to about an ounce or so of liqueur. VenHuizen says more than that is not only unnecessary for digestion, but large amounts can irritate the gut lining and even affect your gut microbiome⁴ (aka the balance of good and bad bacteria that live in your gut).
• Sip it right after your meal. You’ll reap more digestion benefits when you drink closer to mealtime, so don’t hold off for too long, VenHuizen suggests.

Other ways to improve your digestion after eating

There are some booze-free ways to support your digestion at night after a big meal, too. Here are a couple of options you can try:

• Opt for non-alcoholic bitters. Digestive bitters are usually made from a blend of GI-supporting herbs like ginger, dandelion root, gentian⁵, burdock root, juniper, and orange peel. “Dosages vary, but usually add about 1/2 teaspoon to 2 to 4 ounces of water and sip after a meal,” VenHuizen recommends. We recommend trying Urban Moonshine Citrus Bitters ($28) or St. Francis Herb Farm Digestive Bitters ($33, Amazon).
• Sip ginger tea. The warm, spicy tea is a go-to for VenHuizen. “Ginger helps aid intestinal motility and may help improve intestinal health with its impressive array of antioxidants,” she says. Peel and thinly slice fresh ginger root and steep in hot water for 10 minutes. Try out Traditional Medicinals Organic Ginger Tea ($5).
• Take a walk. Walking after eating (or moving your body in general) also helps move food through your GI tract and supports stable blood sugar levels.