It All Begins in the Gut! 6 Ways To Improve It

 

Image - CC0 Licence

Gut health is a very hot topic these days. The gut microbiome has undergone a lot of research and has been found to be so much more important to our health and immunity than we realized, which is why everybody needs to know how to improve gut health. Here are a few things that everybody could do right away. 

Change Your Diet

If you eat high quantities of processed foods and sugar, this is ripping away at your gut bacteria. It's important to increase your fibre intake. A variety of plant-based foods and fruits and vegetables high in fibre make a massive contribution to a healthy gut microbiome. Of the many date seeds benefits out there is an increase in digestion and gut bacteria and increasing your intake of fibre through dates or vegetables will really help.

Take Prebiotics and Probiotics

Prebiotics and probiotics are a quick way to increase your gut bacteria. However, if you experience bacterial overgrowth, it's not a good idea to take probiotics. One of the best approaches to bypass this is to consume prebiotic foods, as they feed your gut bacteria. And there are a number of great foods out there that can help with this, such as garlic and leeks. Additionally, fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi can make a massive impact on your gut bacteria. 

Eat Slowly

We need to promote digestion in any way possible. If we eat quickly, we are not allowing our digestive system to absorb nutrients. By chewing your food thoroughly and eating meals slowly, you will reduce discomfort, and maintain a healthy gut. One of the best practices to eat slowly is to put your foot down in between bites, rather than it being a race to the finish! 

Reduce Stress Levels

If you experience high levels of stress, it's going to wreak havoc on your entire body, as well as your gut. Partaking in healthy practices to lower your stress levels, such as using essential oils, walking, yoga, and meditation will help your gut bacteria. It's important for us to reduce stress levels regardless, but even for those people who are looking to improve their gut rather than their stress, they need to learn how to relax. 

Check If You Have Food Intolerances

If you experience diarrhoea, acid reflux, or cramping, you could experience food intolerances. One of the best ways to see if you are intolerant is to eliminate a certain trigger food from your diet for 4 weeks to see if your symptoms improve. If you can identify certain foods that contribute to the symptoms you might see a big change in your digestive health. 

Sleeping Better

Sleep is one of the biggest epidemics of the modern world. There are so many things that can impact our abilities to sleep well, and while you may be looking for the many alternatives in a dietary sense, one of the most important things to improve your gut health is having good quality sleep. Good quality sleep is going to have a massive impact on your health, but having 8 hours of sleep a night is going to give your stomach a rest.