People nowadays are always having trouble eating at the right time and pace because of busy schedules and lifestyles. Because of this, gut health may be compromised and might also produce more serious problems.
To avoid complications from arising, being mindful about your food intake, and eating at the right hours will be crucial in maintaining a healthy gut.
Avoid Processed Food
High salt, sugar, fat, and additive contents are found in processed food that people normally resort to when they do not have time or enough resources to access healthier alternatives.
Eating processed food can affect the healthy state of the gut. The chemicals found in processed food can probably inflate the number of bad bacteria, and reduce the good bacteria.
If you cannot completely eliminate processed food, try to cut back in consuming it instead. Replace processed food gradually with healthier options and your gut will thank you.

Reduce stress
Stress affects digestion. When stressed, a lot of people use food as a coping mechanism to make themselves feel better. If stress levels are not controlled, gut health will not be the only thing that will be compromised, other systems in your body can be greatly affected as well.
Sleep well
Getting enough sleep regularly is beneficial in maintaining overall health. Poor sleep results in low energy levels and may interrupt digestive processes that might result in negative effects on gut health.
As much as possible, get 7 to 9 hours (recommended for adults) of restful sleep every night, not only to conserve energy, but also to keep your gut health in balance.
Lessen alcohol intake
Excessive alcohol consumption not only overworks the liver, but can also disrupt the number of bacteria in the gut. Bad bacteria are more likely to multiply while good bacteria decrease in number. This may cause problems in the gut and the entire body.
If you cannot avoid alcohol, try consuming less instead.
Probiotics and prebiotics
Choose foods that are rich in probiotics and prebiotics.
Probiotics contain good bacteria, commonly found in yogurt and other fermented food. When consumed, it adds to the population of healthy microbes in the gut.
You can take probiotics through food and supplements. You can buy probiotic supplements over the counter or with a prescription from a medical professional.
Prebiotics, on the other hand, are specialized plant fibers that help stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Similar to probiotics, prebiotics can be consumed through food and supplements as well.
There’s a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that are rich in prebiotics, such as garlic, asparagus, and bananas, just to name a few.
Commonly, these foods contain complex carbohydrates, such as fiber and resistant starch. These carbs become food or fertilizer for the bacteria and other microbes in the gut.
Key Takeaways
Keeping your gut health in its best shape contributes to the health of your entire body. Following the best ways to improve gut health can help put you at ease, knowing that your gut is as healthy as it can be.
Learn more about Digestive Health, here.
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