Your Gut is as important as oxygen in the lungs. Without the proper functioning of the gut, one cannot live a healthy and peaceful life. Your Gut is also known as the “second brain” which supports all necessary functions of the body. It processes the food you eat and provides essential nutrients and proteins to all organs of your body. Your body can get far better only when you have the required energy. We can say that the gut is your charging point to all your body organs like the liver, intestine, lungs, kidney, skin, mind, etc.
In this blog, we will learn how to keep your gut healthy for better productive functioning.
Also, Don’t forget – Strong gut, Strong you
What does Gut mean ?
The gut, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is essentially a long, muscular tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. It’s responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste.
How to Improve Gut Health?
1 – Go for a healthy diet
Yes, when we say a healthy diet, it always includes green leafy vegetables. Everyone likes greenery so our body does. Green leafy vegetables contain all essential nutrients, proteins, and minerals crucial for the proper functioning of our body organs.
What does it do to your Gut?
Okay now comes what green veggies do to your stomach .. Let’s know
1- They are bonded up with rich fiber which is very essential for good bacteria for their activation in the stomach. These good bacteria enable proper absorption of nutrients and help build a strong immunity.
2- Because of the rich fiber content, it regulates the bowel movement in the stomach and enhances the digestion function.
3- Green vegetables also have anti-inflammatory properties which prevent inflammation, irritation, and several other digestive issues.
Vegetables you can add to a healthy diet : Kale, Spinach, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Asparagus, Bok Choy, Beet Greens, Parsley, Watercress
2- Treat sugar as a guest only
So, you meet guests occasionally only not regularly right? The same applies to sugar intake. You should take sugar only occasionally as taking it regularly can create various health issues. Taking sugar regularly can be proven as a bad asset for your gut.
Also read : 10 healthy habits for acne free skin
What does it do to your Gut?
1) It can cause irritation to your stomach internally as it contains inflammatory content that can damage the intestinal lining and lead to various digestive issues.
2) It supports bad bacteria activation which results in improper digestion and can cause several stomach issues.
3) It also creates a barrier to the proper absorption of essential nutrients which may cause
malnutrition and poor health.
Foods you can replace with sugar: Fruits, Dates, Honey, Maple syrup, Coconut sugar, Stevia, Monk fruit Jaggery, Molasses.
3- Include Probiotic food in your diet.
Probiotic foods are foods that contain some active live Microorganisms/bacteria that are very beneficial for the gut. These bacteria are Gut-Friendly and support effective digestion and proper nutrient absorption.
What does it do to your Gut?
1- Probiotic foods improve and maintain digestive health and prevent constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.
2- Have you ever heard of the gut-immunity axis? It refers to the relationship between our gut and immunity. A strong Gut means strong immunity and weak immunity means a weak gut because they are directly proportional to each other. So, Probiotic food builds up a strong immunity which leads to a healthy stomach.
3- Intake of probiotic food supports the proper absorption of nutrients, protein, and minerals which keep our body rich with essential nutrients.
Probiotic foods you can add are – Kale, Spinach, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Asparagus, Bok Choy, Beet Greens, Parsley, Watercress.
4- Add fruits to your diet
Just like green vegetables, Fruits are also the powerhouse of fiber. They are pre-biotics in nature that feed the good bacteria in the gut for better functioning. Fruits contain many vitamins that are very beneficial for the overall health. Not only vitamins but it also keeps your body hydrated naturally.
What does it do to your Gut?
1- As mentioned, fruits are the powerhouse of the fiber. This fiber acts as a natural cleansing agent for our intestines, which assists in eliminating waste products and bad bacteria from the body. This process supports the body’s overall detoxification process.
2- From providing essential vitamins and nutrients to your body to supporting the gut in the efficient absorption of the same, Fruits are an all-rounder.
3- Just like Green vegetables, Fruits also contain anti-oxidants which help in reducing the irritation and the feeling of uneasiness in the stomach.
Best fruits for your gut: Berries, Apples, Bananas, Kiwi, Pears, Oranges, Grapefruits, Lemon, Avocado, Mango
5- Drink plenty of water
We all know water consists of 60% of our body weight so imagine what would our condition be if it’s the lack in body. Water is a requirement of human life as our bodies are made up of roughly 60% water. It is an important solvent for the many essential functions in our bodies. Water is essential for regulating body temperature, digestion, and the transportation of nutrients as well as removing metabolic waste. It also cushions such as our joints, protects organs, and has a balance of electrolytes. Proper hydration is vital for good health, adequate energy levels, and normal cognitive ability.
What does it do to your Gut?
1- Detoxification: Firstly, drinking plenty of water keeps your body detoxified.
2- Helps in Digestion: Drinking water after meals will help your stomach digest the food, making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients.
3- Assist in Regular Bowel Movements: Drinking enough water will also help keep your bowel movement and maintain a routine.
How much water we should drink in a day :- 8-10 glasses per day or 3-4 liters.
Conclusion
The foundation of our general health, “Gut” does some digestive health reconstruction. By following the tips and information described in this blog, you can slowly get on your way to reclaiming a body that is working optimally from within. Remember, consistency is key. It might feel frustrating but a few small, sustainable tweaks to your diet and overall lifestyle can mean the world of difference. Take notice of your body and if you suffer ongoing digestive problems seek advice from a health care professional.
Be sure to share your experiences with us in the comments and start on a better gut today using these tips.