A healthy gut ensures that no harmful bacteria enter your body for the proper functioning of the digestive system. We have listed down a few foods that you must include in your diet to protect your gut health.
Many of our modern lifestyle habits like consuming processed and high sugar foods, inadequate sleep, high-stress levels and taking antibiotics can damage our gut health. An unhealthy gut can impact our health and cause damage to our immune system & functioning of organ systems.
A healthy gut contains healthy bacteria and immune cells that ward off infectious agents like bacteria, viruses and fungi and help maintain general health and well-being. To maintain good gut health, we need to take care of our diet and lifestyle pattern.
Interestingly, food is the most crucial factor that affects our gut health. Check this list of 5 foods that you must include in your diet to improve your gut bacteria and gut health.
#1 Whole Grains
Whole grains have high-fibre content and are rich in nutrients like omega-three fatty acids. They contain non-digestible carbs that are not absorbed by the small intestine and make their way to the large intestine. The gut bacteria break the food down and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria necessary for the proper functioning of the cell lining of the large intestine.
#2 Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a fermented food which contains lactobacilli, a type of bacteria, also known as probiotics that is important for digestive health. The best kind of yoghurt to consume is plain, natural yoghurt. This kind of yoghurt is made with only milk and bacteria mixture, which helps to reduce disease-causing bacteria from intestine. It also improves lactose intolerance in kids and adults.
#3 Green Vegetables
Vegetables like beans, broccoli, asparagus, leeks, green peas, spinach, etc. are rich in fibre content and are the best source of nutrients for the body. Fibre promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that further aids in the digestion of fibre rich food.
#4 Almonds
Almonds are a good source of polyphenols. They are plant compounds with numerous health benefits that help to reduce blood pressure, inflammation and cholesterol levels. Consuming a few almonds daily is good for gut bacteria and gut health.
#5 Low-fructose fruits
Fruits with low sugar content like berries and citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, are suitable for the healthy gut are less likely to cause any gas or bloating.
Bananas, rich in fibre and healthy minerals, also stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
A healthy gut assists in strengthening the immune system, heart health, brain health, mental health, healthy sleep, glowing skin and effective digestion, and it may help prevent some cancers and autoimmune diseases. Lower levels of stress, good sleep, fibre-rich diet, drinking plenty of water and probiotic supplements, are a few lifestyle changes that you can make to improve gut health and your overall health.
