5 easy ways to maintain optimal gut health
It’s incredibly important that you regularly assess your gut health to make sure things aren’t going awry - the gut has been linked to our mood, mental wellbeing, skin conditions, and autoimmune diseases and it’s one of the easiest ways you can discover how well your body is functioning. In today’s blog, we’re going to explore ways that you can maintain good gut health and feel your best.
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1. Pay attention to your diet
The number one way that you can maintain good gut health is to look at your current diet. Our bodies absorb nutrients through the food that we eat and this has a huge effect on the microorganisms that live in our intestines.
Processed foods and foods that are high in sugar decrease the amount of “good bacteria” in our gut. Studies show that a high-sugar diet can have a significant effect on gut function and the composition of bowel movements.
Foods that are particularly beneficial for your gut membrane are barley, rye, apples, whole grains, onions, carrots, garlic, mushrooms and legumes. By adding some of these to your recipes and making sure your diet is healthy and full of seasonal fruits and vegetables, you’ll be doing all the right things to support your gut health through your food.
2. Drink plenty of water
Studies have shown that drinking lots of water throughout the day has a positive effect on the mucus lining of the intestines and the overall balance of bacteria in your gut.
3. Eat lots of fibre
Eating a varied, balanced diet means that the gut has lots of different types of bacteria in it. Gut microbiota diversity is a good thing - it allows your gut to function optimally. It’s estimated that we have from 300-1000 species of bacteria in our gut at any one time!
Though fibre can’t be digested by our bodies, it can be digested by different types of bacteria found in our guts. By doing this, we are essentially feeding the healthy bacteria in our guts and allowing them to grow and multiply.
Foods that are high in fibre are: (1) fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, and strawberries (2) whole grains such as quinoa and barley and (3) vegetables such as carrots, beetroot, and broccoli!
4. Take a probiotic supplement
Probiotic supplements work to encourage the “good bacteria” in your gut to grow and aid healthy digestion.
You can also consider eating probiotic-rich foods such as live yoghurt or fermented foods such as sourdough bread to encourage good microbe growth in your gut. Kombucha is a fermented green or black tea that’s becoming increasingly popular for its health benefits.
5. Consider taking a bone broth supplement
Bone broth supplements contain gelatin and glutamine, two ingredients that are great for soothing any inflammation in the gut. They’re often used as a way to aid leaky gut syndrome or for people who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease.
They also contain collagen, the most abundant protein in the body and one that promotes healthy skin, boosts muscle mass, and relieves joint pain amongst many more benefits.
When looking for a bone broth supplement, it’s important that you choose a brand that uses the highest quality ingredients that are free of unnecessary additives.
However…
If you frequently find yourself suffering from symptoms like irregular, inconsistent stools, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and bloating, or unexplained weight loss or gain, we recommend that you book an appointment with your doctor to rule out any underlying health issues.