We all know the uncomfortable feeling of an unhappy gut. The good news is that there are many natural ways to help your digestive system and heal any issues it may be having. With some simple and effective changes to your routine, you can avoid any of the discomfort and bloating that comes with poor digestive health. Here are our best tips for how to heal your gut naturally and feel your best.
How To Gauge Good Gut Health and Heal Your Gut Naturally
It is easy to feel when your gut health is suffering, but it is less clear what goes into a healthy digestive tract. The answer is quite simple: good bacteria! While you might usually avoid bacteria, not all of them cause problems. In this case, they are your best friend. Your gut contains a certain kind of bacteria which is essential for the absorption and processing of nutrients from your food. Maintaining a proper level of good bacteria can help you avoid much of the discomfort of impaired digestion.
Good bacteria, while essential, are also sensitive. Bad eating habits can harm the good bacteria, throwing your overall health out of balance and resulting in poor digestion. The usual suspects are responsible, such as processed foods, alcohol, and sweets. On the other hand, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are excellent for gut health. The secret is simple when thinking about how to heal your gut naturally: eat more of the good and avoid the harmful.
How To Spot Poor Gut Health
The most obvious signs of imbalance are stomach pain and bloating. They are indications that your digestive system is struggling to process your food and derive nutrients from it. Other common signs that your gut health is suffering include trouble sleeping, general fatigue, intolerance to certain foods, and intense cravings. If you notice any of these symptoms, especially after eating, you might want to consider ways to naturally heal your gut.
The symptoms listed above indicate certain issues, but they do not constitute an emergency. If you experience severe issues with your digestive system, it is best to consult a trusted medical professional to ensure the best advice. They can suggest the proper steps to take to help you in the case of urgent problems.
How To Heal Your Gut Naturally
If you think your digestion needs more attention, there are many ways to improve your digestion naturally. Keep in mind that while these suggestions can help those experiencing significant gut health issues, they are also excellent ways to improve your overall health and wellness.
1. Diet
The easiest way to heal your gut naturally is to adjust your diet and consume healthy foods. Leafy and green vegetables such as brussels sprouts and broccoli are an excellent place to start. Whole grains provide your body with plenty of fiber and are easy to digest. Fermented foods also have wonderful effects on gut health. Sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir are all products of fermentation and boost the good bacteria. With so many options out there, you're sure to find tasty foods that make your body happy.
2. Prebiotics & Probiotics
If there's one trick to gut health that you've heard about, it's probably taking probiotics and prebiotics. Both are dietary supplements that provide different benefits to the body. A prebiotic contains plant fibers that good bacteria love. Think of a prebiotic as feeding the good bacteria you already have in your digestive system, ensuring they work effectively.
Rather than helping existing bacteria, a probiotic contains good living bacteria. By taking a probiotic, you are adding to the population of healthy bacteria in your gut and compensating for an imbalance. A combination of prebiotics and probiotics is an effective way to heal your gut naturally, as it repopulates the bacteria in your digestive system and gives them plenty of nourishment.
3. Hydration
The easiest way to improve your overall health is to make sure you are adequately hydrated. Many people think they drink enough water but often fall short of the daily recommendation of roughly 2.5 to 3.5 liters of fluids a day. Hydration is particularly important for gut health because fluids regulate your entire digestive system and help break down food. With proper hydration, you stand the best chance to heal your gut naturally.
4. Kombucha
Luckily for you, there's a tasty way to give your body a powerful boost. Kombucha, an active fermented drink, promotes gut health by fostering good bacteria. It can also enhance your metabolism, reduce inflammation, and help to detox your digestive system. There's a reason why kombucha has become so popular: it's tasty and it works! Check out different varieties of kombucha, including the powder form, which can be easily worked into your daily routine to help heal your gut naturally.
6. Exercise
You might be surprised by the wonderful effects regular exercise can have on your gut health and digestion. While exercise has many benefits for the body and mind, the extra oxygen that comes into the bloodstream during exercise makes the digestive system even more hospitable to good bacteria. Increased blood flow and oxygenation ensure the maintenance of your bodily systems. Given that blood and oxygen are the building blocks of a happy body, exercise is truly the body's best friend and a great way to heal your gut naturally.
7. Alcohol Intake
Alcohol consumption is a major source of gastrointestinal discomfort. Repeated and excessive drinking can lead to inflammation in the digestive tract. A general inflammation in your intestines is very harmful to the good bacteria that you are trying to protect. While drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation shouldn't cause issues, note how you feel after a few drinks to gauge the reaction of your gut.
Heal Your Gut Naturally Today
Now that you know more about how to heal your gut naturally, you can incorporate some new habits into your routine. Check out our line of premium quality superfoods at Superfoods Company and see how we can help you improve your overall health and wellness.