Can tawny Port help settle my stomach after a big meal?
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Dear Dr. Vinny,
Does tawny Port help to settle the stomach after a meal?
—Chris, Franklin, Wis.
Dear Chris,
There’s a group of alcoholic beverages considered “digestifs,” which are believed to help settle your stomach and aid in digestion, especially after a big meal. They tend to be higher in alcohol than a typical table wine, and many of them have a strong herbal or bitter component (they can also be sweet). Usually only an ounce or two is served, and sometimes they are enjoyed with a cup of coffee or espresso.
Which beverages are considered digestifs? Depends who you ask, but bitter liqueurs like amaro, sweeter ones like limoncello, herbal offerings like Jägermeister, and yes, fortified wines such as Sherry or Port are typically in the conversation.
Do they work? Er, not really, though I’m sure there are many people (myself included!) who have anecdotal stories about how they felt really full before the digestif and then felt better afterward. For more on the science behind digestifs and their impact on the digestive system, read our deep dive on the subject.
I love digestifs because they’re a great way to slow down after a big meal—whatever their actual physiological effects, digestifs clearly make a lot of people feel better psychologically. (They’re also just plain delicious and make ideal dessert pairings!) Sitting there sipping something rich or bitter, or appealingly strong and sweet, can be the perfect way to end a long meal—and certainly a lovely way to appreciate it fully.
—Dr. Vinny
