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The festive season is all about good food, great company and some indulging. Unfortunately, for many of us, heavier meals and celebratory drinks can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as reflux, bloating, or heartburn. That feeling creeps up on you after you have enjoyed your meal and company. Leaving you with stomach cramps full of regret. The good news? A few mindful habits – and the right after-meal choice – can help keep discomfort at bay.

Consider a “digestive wind‑down”

After a big meal, your body needs support to digest efficiently. This is where a gentle digestif, alcoholic or not, can make a difference.

Alcoholic digestifs (in moderation)
Traditionally, small servings (about 30 ml) of bitter or herbal spirits, such as amaro, cognac or grappa, can be enjoyed after meals. These help stimulate digestive juices and bile production. Keep your servings small, as too much alcohol can worsen reflux and irritate your stomach lining.

These alcoholic digestifs work in 2 main ways:

1. The bitter flavour from the spirits (Amaro/Fernet), usually infused with artichoke, gentian root or cinchona bark) trigger the bitter receptors on your tongue, resulting in your brain stimulating the production of digestive enzymes like saliva, gastric juices and bile. The gastric acid helps digest proteins, and the bile helps with fat digestion.
2. Alcohol (Brandy, Cognac, and Grappa) in small amounts (30 ml) helps relax the blood vessels, improving blood flow. It's important to proceed with caution when you go the alcohol digestif route.

Non-alcoholic options

For people who don’t drink alcohol, you can still find relief by incorporating herbs and spices into your post-meal drink to get the gastric stimulation and relaxation benefits.

Herbal teas are a soothing, alcohol‑free way to support digestion:

• Ginger tea helps the stomach empty more efficiently and eases nausea.
• Fennel tea reduces gas and cramping.
• Chamomile tea calms the stomach and is a good option if you’re prone to heartburn.
• Peppermint tea can relieve bloating but may worsen reflux in some people.

Fermented drinks such as kombucha or kefir (in small amounts) support gut health and may help ease that overly full feeling.

A mindful finish

A digestif isn’t a cure‑all, but it encourages you to pause, slow down and signal to your body that it’s time to digest. Simple habits like eating slowly, putting your cutlery down between bites and stopping when you’re comfortably full can make a big difference too.

By tuning into your body and planning ahead, you can enjoy festive meals – and still end the day feeling comfortable.