What to Eat for a Healthier, Happier Gut?
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that digest food and produce enzymes. These microorganisms support brain function, metabolic health, and immunity. Even the slightest imbalance can affect the proper functioning of your body.
Thousands of years ago, Hippocrates said: All diseases begin in the gut. Modern science confirms his statement. After all, your gut is called the second brain for a good reason. The bacteria living in your GI tract influence your mood and behavior, appetite, and energy metabolism.
Bad eating, stress, antibiotics, and lifestyle changes can alter the gut flora. Fortunately, this ecosystem is very malleable. A balanced diet rich in probiotics can improve gut health and keep pathogens from spreading throughout your system.
So, here is what you should eat for a healthier, happier gut:
Bananas
Loaded with potassium and magnesium, bananas reduce inflammation in the gut and regulate blood pressure. This delicious fruit helps maintain an optimal balance between good and bad gut bacteria. It also soothes stomach pain and relieves indigestion, which are common side effects of a poorly functioning gut.
Fermented Foods
Sauerkraut, kimchi, natto, pickles, kefir, and other fermented foods contain healthy bacteria that help restore gut flora. At the same time, they fight disease-causing microorganisms, such as candida. To reap the benefits, eat fermented foods as a side dish or an empty stomach.
Apples
Apples are rich in pectin and other insoluble fibers that feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. Actually, pectin accounts for more than half of their total fiber content. This nutrient helps reduce the number of harmful bacteria and increases butyrate levels, leading to a healthier microflora.
Oats
If you’re not sure what to eat for breakfast, start the day with oats! These gluten-free grains contain beta-glucan, a dietary fiber that feeds good gut bacteria. It also keeps your blood sugar levels within normal limits, reduces high cholesterol, and suppresses appetite.
Unlike breakfast cereals, oats are packed with slow-digesting carbs that provide lasting energy. They also deliver powerful antioxidants that inhibit tumor growth and scavenge oxidative stress.
Kombucha
This fermented beverage has been around for centuries. Rich in probiotics, it supports a healthy microbiome and keeps your digestive system running smoothly. Moreover, it relieves bloating and helps your body break down the nutrients from food more efficiently.
As you see, maintaining a healthy gut is easy. Simple dietary changes, such as swapping coffee for kombucha and snacking on fresh fruit, can make all the difference.
Healthy diet – sources of Vitamin C – oranges strawberry bell pepper capsicum kiwi fruit paw paw spinack dark leafy greens and parsley.2
