Having a healthy gut is necessary for overall wellness.
Your gut is the system in your body that is responsible for digestion. The key to maintaining its health? Bacteria. Microorganisms thriving in your body may not seem like a good thing, but good bacteria are essential to the process of converting nutrients into energy.
When the bacteria in your gut are out of balance, digestive problems are the result. You’ll then be left dealing with complications such as bloating, gas, and constipation. If these are issues you deal with regularly, it may be time to start paying more attention to the health of your gut. Here are four ways to promote your gut health and well-being.
Include More Vegetables in Your Diet
A healthy dose of veggies is necessary to supply your body with the nutrients it needs to function on a day-to-day basis. In addition to maintaining general health by helping the various systems run more efficiently, eating vegetables will provide the fiber needed for a healthy gut.
Eat Probiotic and Prebiotic-Rich Foods
Probiotics are often the first thing to come to mind when we think of gut health. Foods like vegan yogurt, sourdough bread, and kombucha are packed full of these beneficial microorganisms. But it’s equally important to pay attention to your intake of prebiotics, a type of non-digestible fiber. When prebiotic-rich foods are digested, the process promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. So, make sure to include onions, garlic, broccoli, whole grains, bananas and other fruits in your diet.
Avoid Taking Antibiotics Often
While antibiotics kill the bad bacteria that are harmful, they also attack the good bacteria in your gut. Taking these medications frequently can disrupt intestinal health and lead to digestive issues. Your health is affected negatively when the good bacterial levels start to deplete.
Consume Fermented Foods
Eating fermented foods is a delicious way to introduce helpful bacteria to your system. Some of the best foods for encouraging a healthy gut are kefir, soy sauce, sauerkraut, kimchi, and tempeh. Try to make these on your own since store-bought options are typically pasteurized, a process which kills beneficial bacteria.
By doing what you can to improve gut health, you’ll start to notice chronic health issues diminish. You’ll feel more energetic and experience fewer headaches, colds, and other aches and pains. The tips mentioned above can help you care for your gut so that you can stay healthy and happy.
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