Fitness isn't just about exercising, going to the gym, watching your calories, etc., but it's also about health and wellness. One least talked about topic in the field of health and fitness is the importance of gut health. Gut health is more than just about digestion, as it plays a major role in maintaining a favorable hormonal balance, insulin levels, and even immunity. In fact, 70 to 80% of your body's immune system resides in your gut. Consuming refined and processed foods destroys the good bacteria in your gut and over time, can lead to various health issues. Now that you know the importance of gut health, here are 5 foods that will help promote good gut health.
Curd:
A food that is easily found in Indian kitchens is curd. This tangy fermented milk contains various gut-healthy bacteria such as lactobacillus that promote gut health, aid in digestion, and helps promote good mental health.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are a powerful prebiotic and are high in vitamins C, K, and B complex, folic acid, beta carotene, iron, iodine, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, and chlorophyll. Leafy greens are also known to be anti-inflammatory in nature and help promote good gut health.
Apples:
We won't tell you about the age-old saying about what doctors have to say about apples, but there's a reason why they are known to contain prebiotic fiber that transforms it into fatty acids, which in turn, feeds your healthy gut microbes which, in turn, strengthens your gut health.
Chia seeds/sabja:
Besides having a cooling effect on the body, chia seeds are a great source of dietary fiber and when soaked in water, they form a gel-like substance, which when consumed, enters into the stomach and works as a prebiotic. It supports the growth of good bacterial flora in the intestine and also helps in clearing the bowels of harmful toxins.
Ginger:
Ginger is one of the most versatile foods that you can lay your hands on. Ginger’s track record for its ability to provide relief to an upset stomach, and help reduce nausea-like symptoms are already well documented. Ginger also contains gingerol, a naturally occurring substance with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that also promotes the growth of good gut-friendly bacteria in the stomach and helps in maintaining a hormonal balance.
The market for pro-biotic drinks and foods has started to pick up momentum, especially since people are now realizing the importance of a healthy gut and how it can affect their day-to-day lives. While these drinks may promise to deliver a lot, they also come loaded with sugars that kill the good bacteria, and not just that, but they are priced steeply as well. If you want to improve your overall gut health, without burning a hole in your pocket, then the foods mentioned above are ideal for you.
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