According to The American Gastroenterological Association’s (AGA) Trust Your Gut campaign, around 60-70 million Americans face gastrointestinal diseases that disrupt their daily lives. |
Gut health matters a lot because more than half of your body's immune system is located in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is also responsible for distributing nutrients and plays a key role in fending off infections and supporting systems like the immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular. Therefore, focusing on your gut health is crucial as it impacts your overall health, and for nurturing it, consume fermented and fiber-rich options as it can make a notable difference. Let's learn more about gut health and how to keep our guts happy and healthy!
What Involves in Your Gut Microbiome
Gut health refers to the condition of your gut microbiome, which is made up of bacteria and micro-organisms that play a crucial role in digestion and overall health. It consists of several key organs: Mouth, Esophagus( a muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach), Stomach, Small intestine, Large intestine (colon), and Rectum.
The gut microbiota is called the "forgotten organ" because people often overlook its importance even though it plays a huge role in our bodies. |
Importance of Gut Health:
Digestion:Â
A healthy gut microbiome aids in breaking down food, proper digestion, and absorbing nutrients.
Immune Function:Â
The gut plays a critical role in supporting the immune system, as approximately 70% of the body's immune cells reside in the gut. A balanced gut microbiome helps defend against harmful pathogens and infections.
Metabolism:Â
Gut health influences metabolism by regulating how the body processes and stores energy from food. An imbalance in the gut microbiome may contribute to metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Mental Health:Â
Studies show that a healthy gut is closely tied to mental well-being through the gut-brain axis. When your gut is not well, it can affect your mood, stress levels, and cognitive function. Prioritizing gut health is key to feeling good both physically and mentally.
The gut is also known as the "second brain" because it contains a complex network of neurons known as the enteric nervous system, which can operate independently of the brain and spinal cord. |
Disease Prevention:Â
Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome can help reduce the risk of various diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer.
Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
Here are the signs of an unhealthy gut:
Digestive issues like bloating, gas, or diarrhea.
Upset stomach or heartburn after meals.
Unexplained weight changes.
Food intolerances or sensitivities.
Skin problems such as acne or eczema.
Persistent fatigue or low energy level
Frequent illnesses due to a weakened immune system
Trouble sleeping or irregular sleep patterns
Mood disturbances like anxiety or depression
Autoimmune conditions
Factors Impacting Your Gut Health
1. Not Eating a Diverse Range of Foods:
A diverse diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut flora as it boosts immunity and helps good bacteria to grow. Without this diversity, the gut microbiota may become imbalanced and can lead to difficulties in recovering from infections or antibiotic treatments. Unfortunately, modern diets often lack this diversity, so choose a diet that supports a healthier gut.
2. Lack of Prebiotics in the Diet:
Insufficient intake of prebiotic-rich foods like lentils, oats, and bananas can deprive the gut of essential nutrients. People do not consume enough prebiotic-rich foods, which can hinder the growth of beneficial bacteria and cause digestive issues.
3. Drinking Too Much Alcohol:
Excessive alcohol consumption disrupts the balance of gut bacteria, leading to dysbiosis and digestive problems. Chronic alcohol consumption has been linked to changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and harmful effects on health.
Alcohol usually harms gut bacteria, but moderate red wine intake protects them due to its polyphenol content. |
4. Antibiotic Use:
Antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections but can also have unintended effects on gut health. It's important to use antibiotics only when required and to take steps to support gut health during and after antibiotic treatment.
5. Lack of Regular Physical Activity:
Studies show that physically inactive individuals tend to have lower levels of Akkermansia bacteria, which affects their metabolic and gut health.
Regular exercise strengthens the contractions of the gut and makes them more powerful and efficient. This helps in effective waste removal from the body, thereby preserving the integrity of the microbiome. |
6. Cigarette Smoking:
Smoking can alter the composition of gut bacteria, leading to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pancreatitis. It also increases the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases and weakens the immune system.
7. Not Getting Enough Sleep:
Sleep deprivation can disturb the body's natural 24-hour internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, and affects gut bacteria. It also alters appetite hormones, leading to unhealthy food choices that can further harm gut health.
8. Too Much Stress:
When stressed, the body releases hormones like cortisol, which can change gut motility and lead to digestive discomfort. Stress also impairs the production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes that affect nutrient absorption and digestion.Â
How to Improve Your Gut Health
If you want to know how to improve gut health, we are here to spill all the secrets:
Identify If You Have Food Intolerances:
Pay attention to how your body reacts to different foods to pinpoint intolerances and symptoms like:
Bloating
Abdominal Pain
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Gas
Nausea
Acid Reflux
Eliminate common triggering foods from your diet and check for any improvements in digestive health.Â
Avoid Sugar and Processed Foods:
Eating too much fast-digesting sugar can starve the helpful microbes in your gut and cause problems. Instead, try to eat foods with complex sugars, like
Honey
Dark Chocolate
Coconut Flour
Apples
Berries
Bananas
Mango
Sweet Potatoes
Consume Clarified Butter (Ghee)
Clarified butter enriches the flavor and taste of various dishes and plays a significant role in promoting digestive health. Its unique properties allow it to lubricate the digestive tract, facilitating smoother bowel movements and overall digestion. Have just a teaspoon of ghee into your vegetables and enjoy!
Include Herbs in your Daily Routine
Herbs act as a natural laxative and improve digestion. It boosts immune function, reduces inflammation, and alleviates discomfort. These can be available in powder, tablet, and juice forms and are convenient for consumption.
Triphala
Aloe Vera juice
Licorice root
Do Self-Care Practices:
Choose a specific time in your daily routine, whether it's in the morning or evening, to engage in these activities consistently:
Meditation - Mindfulness Practices
Yoga -Â Deep breathing, Gentle Stretching
Spending Time in Nature
Pursuing Hobbies
These activities help manage stress and promote a sense of inner calm, which supports a healthy gut microbiome.
Reduce intake to Red MeatÂ
Eating red meat can lead to the production of harmful toxins by the gut bacteria. These toxins, such as trimethylamine (TMA) n-oxide (TMAO), indoxyl sulfate, and p-cresyl sulfate, are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular death. Also, many meat brands raise livestock with antibiotics, which can harm gut health. So, prioritize a diverse and fiber-rich diet with minimum exposure to antibiotics for supporting gut health. You can opt for a more plant-based diet instead, as it has fewer disease-causing bacteria.
Beneficial Food For Gut Health
Want to know how to achieve optimal gut health? Include these foods in your diet and see for yourself:
Fuel Your Gut with Fiber:
Enjoy foods rich in fiber - avocados and chickpeas to keep your gut healthy. Fiber helps with digestion and nutrient absorption. Aim for 25g if you're a woman and 30g if you're a man.
Diversify Your Diet:
Eating a variety of fruits and veggies helps your gut thrive. Aim for at least 30 different plant-based foods each week to get various nutrients and keep your gut bacteria happy. Eat plenty of veggies, beans, fruits, whole grains, and nuts:
Fruits – Blueberries, Apples, and Dragon Fruit
Vegetables – leek, onion, and garlic
Legumes – chickpeas, beans, and lentils
Wholegrains – rye bread, barley, and oats
Nuts – pistachios, cashews and almonds.
Enjoy Polyphenol-Rich Foods:
Include foods rich in polyphenols in your diet, like tea, coffee, and dark chocolate. They're great for your gut microbiome. Green and black tea contain polyphenols, particularly catechins, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Coffee is rich in polyphenols and other bioactive compounds that promote beneficial bacteria growth.
Try Fermented Foods:
Have Fermented food in your diet, these are full of probiotics, the good bacteria that your gut loves. Yogurt is a classic choice, packed with probiotics that support a healthy gut microbiome. Kefir is another fermented dairy product that's even richer in probiotics than yogurt. Kimchi, a spicy Korean dish made from fermented cabbage, promotes digestive health and boosts your immune system. Other options include:
Sauerkraut
Kombucha
Tempeh
Wrapping Up:
The human gut is complex, and its health impacts our entire body. By making simple lifestyle and dietary changes, you're not just benefiting your gut but your overall health, too. So, enjoy a variety of foods, develop gut-friendly habits, and a sprinkle of self-care for a happier, healthier you!
