Gut health is an important part of your overall health but it tends to get ignored. A good gut health forms the basis of your overall wellbeing. Maintaining a balance of good bacteria in your gut will promote digestion, nutrition absorption and mental health.
It would not be wrong to say that a lot of people are dependent on expensive probiotic supplements to improve their gut health. However, it’s really difficult to find the best quality product, which will help you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Although, we also know that none of the supplements will help you until you don’t take care of your diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle. With certain lifestyle modifications and dietary changes you can take your gut health to the next level.
Tips to improve gut health
Follow these tips to maintain better digestion and improve your gut health.
- Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Fruits and vegetables are high in gut healthy microbes. They are also a good source of fiber which helps with overall digestion. There are certain bacteria in the gut that thrive on fiber. Various studies have also shown that a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables prevents the growth of disease causing bacteria in the gut. Apart from fruits and vegetables you should also try to include whole grain foods, legumes, and beans in your diet as they are a rich source of fiber and help with digestive health.
Some high fiber foods that you must include in your diet to maintain your gut health are – nuts, seeds, bananas, lentils, chickpeas, broccoli, green beans, and apples.
- Include fermented foods in your diet
Fermented foods are highly beneficial for your gut health and promote digestion. These foods contain a higher amount of good bacteria that improve gut health. Many fermented foods are rich in lactobacilli, a type of bacteria known for its health benefits. Consider including more yogurt and kimchi in your daily routine. Eat foods enriched with polyphenols as they are plant-based compounds that carry antioxidant properties that play a crucial role in health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effect.
Foods rich in polyphenol are rich in antioxidants, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and decrease cellular stress. Foods rich in polyphenol are – dark chocolate, green tea, blueberries, almonds, onions, and broccoli.
- Eat less sugars and artificial sweeteners
Consuming a diet that’s high in sugar or artificial sweeteners may cause a condition called gut dysbiosis – where there is an imbalance of gut bacteria. Various studies have shown that a high sugar diet has harmful effects on microbes present in your gut.
- Reduce stress
Whether it is gut health, mental health, or your overall health, stress can make things worse. It is best to reduce stress from life. Identify stressors and try to eliminate them from your life. Psychological stressors can disrupt the microbes present in the intestines. In addition to this, other stressors like lack of proper sleep and environmental stress in the form of excessive heat, cold, or noise can also affect your gut health in a negative manner.
- Avoid taking antibiotics unnecessarily
Sometimes it is imperative to take antibiotics if you have an illness or an infection. But make sure you always consult your doctor and then take any antibiotics. There can be certain antibiotics that might have a negative impact on your gut health. So it’s better to avoid antibiotics from your hectic life which will significantly improve and protect gut health.
- Exercise regularly
Having an optimal workout routine will not just help with your physical well being, but it will also maintain your mental health. When you work out regularly, it helps in controlling obesity and weight management. In the long run, exercising regularly will help your gut health as well.
- Stay Hydrated
Water is essential for maintaining good health and plays a crucial role in many bodily functions. Drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining gut health, as it aids in digestion and helps the intestines function properly.
Signs of an unhealthy gut
Eating a lot of processed food, high sugar foods, and taking antibiotics for a long period of time can harm the health of gut bacteria. This in turn will have a negative impact of various other aspects of your health. Look out for these signs and symptoms that might indicate that you have digestive problems.
- Upset stomach
- Nausea and vomiting after eating food
- Acidity and heartburn
- Sleep disturbance and constant fatigue
- Gas, bloating, and constipation
- Unintentional weight loss or weight gain
- Food allergies
GNC products for gut health and better digestion
There are various GNC products and supplements for digestive health. Visit the official website to buy these GNC products for better digestive health & witness the change for yourself..
You can buy the complete range of GNC products including gut health supplements on GNC India’s official website – www.guardian.in
There are so many kinds of GNC products available for digestive support and detox that you might get confused which one to choose for yourself. It is best that you consult your doctor to know which probiotic supplement or digestive support tablet will work best for you. If you are pregnant, a nursing mother, or take medication for a chronic illness, then do not randomly start taking any GNC product or supplement. Consult your doctor and only then consume the supplements in the right dosage.