How to Improve Your Gut Health
There are many great reasons for you to want a healthy gut, such as a better immune system, better digestion, increased cognitive function and so on. Most of this can be improved by watching what you eat, avoiding certain foods and adapting your lifestyle to increase your chances of having a healthy gut and, in turn, better health overall.
Here are some points to think about:
A healthier diet.
Likely the first one you will think of when approaching better gut health, but still an important one. Adding more fibre to your diet, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes (peas, chickpeas, lentils and beans), will help. It is also a good idea to cut out as many processed foods as possible, as these aren’t generally conducive to a healthy gut.
Some fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kefir (which is a fermented food or drink, usually made from milk), are made with live cultures and are extremely beneficial for a healthier gut. And in case you’re wondering
where to buy kefir, you can find it in various supermarkets, stocking popular brands including Biotiful Kefir.
Stay hydrated.
Drinking plenty of water is healthy in a variety of ways, one of which is keeping a healthy gut. It helps with digestion, nutrient absorption and maintaining an optimal body temperature. Most people will benefit from drinking about four to six cups of water a day.
Physical exercise.
Increased physical exercise is also beneficial in many different ways, including improved mental health, better fitness levels and gut health. Studies show that consistent exercise routines will benefit the microbiota in the gut (microbiota being the microorganisms, such as bacteria, in the gut).
Reducing stress.
You might have noticed in times of great stress that you may experience stomachaches, constipation and other similar symptoms. This, of course, affects our gut more negatively. So it is important to also consider finding ways to manage and reduce the stress in your life, especially that which is most in your control. For that which isn’t in your control, there are various ways to manage it, such as physical exercise, mindful exercises, meditation, breathing techniques and making sure you get plenty of sleep.
Get plenty of sleep!
A well-rested body will be less prone to stress, which reduces the risk of digestive problems and disturbances (to name one example). Plenty of sleep and rest will also give you more energy, in turn making it easier to participate in your chosen physical activities. All of these points are interlinked: keeping stress levels down and getting plenty of exercise should improve your ability to sleep; in turn, plenty of sleep helps those two areas as well.
Final thoughts.
There is no one solution to improving your gut health; all of the above points need to be in action as they all play a role in supporting a healthy gut. Think of it as a recipe where the most important ingredients can’t be left out or switched out. You should take all of the points into consideration in order to maintain the best health in your gut.