What is Gut Health?
Well in technical terms it means this; "Gut Health refers to the wellbeing of our digestive system. It includes the lining of the gut, the make-up of the gut microbiome (the microorganisms like good and bad bacteria that live inside your gut!), and the ability to process nutrients." People often refer to the gut as the "second brain" of the body, and for good reason. We explored Gut Health to find ways to improve our gut, foods that can help, and some recipes from Zoe! Here are some tips and tricks we learned on our journey to understand gut health!
How to improve your Gut Health Naturally
Eat a Diverse Range of Foods: Incorporate a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds into your diet. Each type of food provides different nutrients that nourish different types of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Why not try out these gut healthy foods and add them to your next shopping list;- Asparagus
- Chia seeds
- Oats
- Kimchi
- Pomegranate
- Chickpeas
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Consume Fermented Foods:
Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha contain probiotics that support a healthy gut. Including these foods in your diet can help maintain a healthy balance of gut flora. (Another phrase for Gut Microbiome!) Beneficial bacteria or yeasts change fermented food by breaking down starches and sugars. -
Fibre Foods:
Fibre plays a role in supporting gut health as it acts as food for the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Aim to include plenty of fibre-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (beans and lentils) in your diet. Why not try out these heathy fibre filled recipes from Zoe -
Stay Hydrated:
Drinking an adequate amount of water is crucial for maintaining good gut health. Water keeps things moving smoothly through your digestive system, aids bowel movement and prevents constipation, which can negatively impact gut health. -
Manage Stress:
Long-term stress can harm your gut by changing the bacteria balance and causing more inflammation. Reduce stress with meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or enjoy some nature to help your gut health. -
Get Quality Sleep:
Poor sleep can negatively impact gut health and vice versa. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body time to repair and regenerate, including your gut! -
Exercise Regularly:
Consistent exercise not only enhances your general health but also promotes a healthy gut. Exercise for 30 minutes most days to keep your digestive system working well.
