Your gut biome affects almost every part of the body, and how you choose to nourish it will influence its functioning. If your digestive system cannot optimally process your food, you won’t receive critical nutrients in your bloodstream. An imbalanced gut biome causes stomach issues, like bloating and constipation, and negatively affects your mental health and overall well-being. If you wish to promote your gut biome to work to its best capabilities, here are some helpful ways to improve your digestive health.
Probiotics
There are roughly 400 types of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in your gut—this makes up your microbiome. The balance of bacteria in your biome is dependent on your lifestyle, diet, and genetic factors. Having good bacteria in your biome prevents many diseases like Crohn’s, colitis, obesity, etc. Try to eat fermented foods like kimchi, kefir, or sauerkraut; these foods contain nutrient-rich probiotics that help improve and sustain your microbiome.
Digestive Bitters
When you consume bitters, it activates your saliva enzymes, which help break down your food and signal your gut to begin the digestive process. Bitters promote gastric juice—otherwise known as chyme—which is an enzyme-rich mixture that releases into your small intestine to help your body absorb critical nutrients.
Foods like dandelion greens, red wine, cocoa, coffee, and cruciferous vegetables are some examples of bitters you might consider adding to your diet. If this seems like a challenge for you, worry not, as there are fun and delicious drinks to make that also promote your digestion. For example, consider making a cocoa and dandelion bitter cocktail.
Walking
In addition to consuming fiber-rich, probiotic-filled foods, it’s essential to stay active—this is one of the most helpful ways to improve your digestive health. Movement is a great way to promote your digestion as it cuts down on the time it takes for your food to move from your stomach to the small intestines. What’s more, mild exercises like walking after your meal can help prevent nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, etc. Try to go for a short walk after eating; this will kickstart your metabolism and stimulate the digestive process.
Reduce Sugar
While munching on sweet treats and recipes may be enjoyable, foods with dense amounts of sugar can ultimately disrupt your digestive health. High levels of sugar affect your digestive health by disrupting the balance of bacteria in your stomach and causing inflammation. If you notice a change in your digestive health while consuming recipes with heavy sugars, it may be best to reduce these foods from your diet to prevent inflammation and restore balance to your natural bacteria production.
Taking care of your digestive health is vital for living a balanced and nourished lifestyle. Consider trying these tips for improving your digestive health to begin healing your gut and living a healthier lifestyle today.
