Everyone should aspire to have a healthy gut. Not only does a healthy gut helps you digest the food better, but it is also directly linked to your overall well-being. Several studies have linked gut health with our immune system, cancer, mental health, skin conditions, and many more. The road to a healthy mind and having a sound immune system is a severe case of working on a healthier gut. To simply put it, you need good bacteria to ward off the bad ones for a healthier body and mind.
The good news is the path to a healthier gut isn't as complicated as you think. Like with any reasonable progress, consistency is vital. Consistency with healthy habits and a change in a better lifestyle ensures you better gut health and wards off various diseases. This article discusses some of the tips and tricks to help you establish a healthier gut.
Less stress equals a healthier gut
Being stressed has been directly linked to having lousy gut health. Scientists over the years have concluded that your brain is your second gut, and your stomach is your second brain, and they are intertwined intimately. Put in simple words you can understand; stress causes inflammation to your gut. The inflammation triggers a rise to pathogenic bacteria that causes a leaky gut, which allows harmful bacteria to enter your system.
Hence, stress gives birth to more harmful bacteria than good bacteria. Several studies have also suggested that higher stress levels increase the risk of IBS and GI problems in most cases. A chronic level of stress is terrible for your entire body and not only your gut.
Maintaining a healthier gut starts with finding ways to keep yourself mentally stress-free. Learning about stress management techniques like different breathing exercises, meditation, and muscle relaxation exercises can be a start. Talking with a friend when it gets too overwhelming, going for a walk, or just listening to calming music have also been suggested as good stress relievers. In turn, relieving stress contributes to having a healthier gut, and a healthier gut can be a way to reduce anxiety and other mental disorders that you might be struggling with.
Being consistent with an improved diet
Studies suggest that vegans have better gut microbiomes than non-vegans because their diet is mainly based on high-fiber foods. Being consistent with a change in your diet could prove to be the best solution in improving your gut health. Hence, a decrease in consumption of high in fat foods, high sugar, and processed food and going for a more veggie-based diet with more lean protein should show a significant change in your gut health.
Not only does an improved diet include foods high in fiber, such as beans, asparagus, whole grains, green peas, and broccoli which have shown a positive change to gut health, but studies also suggest adding fermented food to your diet. Fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt contain lactobacilli which is a bacteria that helps you improve your gut health. In general, the secret to having better gut health is to be consistent with a more plant-based diet high in fiber. Also, practicing good habits like chewing your food as slowly as possible promotes better digestion. According to instructions from a medical professional, you should avoid processed food and add some probiotic and prebiotic supplements to your diet.
Better sleep promotes a better gut
Time and time again, better sleep has proven to be a beneficial factor for our whole well-being and overall health in general. Sleeping well promotes good heart health, brain, boosts the immune system, and helps our digestive system in many ways. Being sleep-deprived is known to have a profound connection with your gut health. To be precise, sleep deprivation is known to cause stress and several problems, which in turn affect your gut health.
We advise you to sleep at least 7 hours a day for a healthier gut. Prioritize sleep over wealth or any other activity and establish a good sleeping pattern. Simple Google research on how to sleep better will have enormous benefits for you and your health in general. But talking to a medical professional will be the better choice if you have severe sleep deprivation.
