Digestive health is necessary for a healthy living and lifestyle. More and more research and studies have been done showing that the gut is connected to the brain and is vital to our immune system and also mental health. It has been found that an unhealthy gut, sometimes called leaky gut, can be the root cause that leads to many common diseases and health concerns.
Since the gut is so central to the proper function of so many systems and health issues, it is important to pay close attention to your digestive health and ensure that proper care is taken to nourish and support it. The good news is that there are measures you can take to improve your digestive health to prevent, or reverse, most illnesses or symptoms.
Food Choice
Proper food choice is essential for digestive health. Try to focus on eating mostly whole foods instead of those that are heavily processed. Yogurt is a good choice since it naturally contains probiotics, which are good bacteria that live in the gut and keep it healthy. Ginger is another food that can improve digestion and alleviate mild discomfort from nausea or heartburn. Ginger is great as a tea. Try simmering some fresh ginger in water and adding lemon and honey for a warming beverage. Ginger is also a great ingredient to cook with that adds a flavor boost as well as a touch of heat. Peppermint is another simple thing to add to your diet for improved digestive health. Peppermint can be made into a pleasant tea that helps with bloating, nausea, and aids indigestion.
A truly wonderful option to incorporate into your diet is bone broth. This healing broth is chock full of nutrients such as collagen and gelatin that can help to heal a leaky gut. Bone broth is simple to make at home, or can be found in most stores.
Fiber
Fiber is an important part of digestive health. It’s found naturally in foods such as vegetables, especially beans, fruits, and grains. Fiber keeps your digestive system running smoothly and prevents constipation. If you aren’t getting enough fiber in your diet alone, you can consider adding a supplement.
Probiotics
You may choose to incorporate a daily probiotic supplement into your diet as well. While probiotics can be found in yogurt and fermented foods such as sauerkraut, we don’t always get enough of them from diet alone. A probiotic supplement will help by providing enough good bacteria in your gut to help with the digestive process and keep the harmful bacteria at bay. These live bacteria and naturally occurring yeast keep your system balanced and are vital to good gut health.
Hydration
Being adequately hydrated by getting enough water and eating foods with high water content, can help to prevent uncomfortable bloating and eliminate excess water weight. Proper hydration is necessary for your digestive system to function and continue to move food along the digestive tract.
Stress Management
Too much stress can have a very powerful negative effect on digestive health. It’s important to try and limit stress, or at least take measures to control it, since it can lead to unpleasant symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn. Stress can also exacerbate symptoms of diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Mindfulness
Pay attention to your body and take note of your reaction to various foods. Being mindful of how foods affect you will help you to keep track of what you can and cannot eat. Keep a food journal for an easy way to record this. Other ways to be mindful are to eat your meals slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Mindfulness practices such as meditation can also help to calm the mind and eliminate stress, which will be soothing for the gut and prevent uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, heartburn, or diarrhea.
With a few simple adjustments to your diet and lifestyle, you can start to build a healthier digestive system. You’ll be amazed at how many positive benefits you will experience just by focusing on improving gut health.
