5 Ways to Optimize Gut Health
The balance of microorganisms in the digestive system is called gut health. Trillions of bacterial cells live in your gut, many of which play vital functions in keeping your body running and healthy. The bacteria in your gut create an ecosystem, and if it is interrupted, it can cause abnormalities in its structure. There are several factors in life that might negatively affect your gut bacteria and intestinal health. Let us take a look at five ways to optimize gut health in our day-to-day life.
Consume a variety of foods
Eat a wide range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. For example, eat foods like nuts, raspberries, beans, broccoli, chickpeas, bananas, apples, artichokes, whole grain, green peas, lentils, spices, dark chocolate, and foods with polyphenols. Eating healthy is always the best choice not only for gut health but for a whole healthy body.
Exercise regularly for your gut health
Daily exercise promotes gut health, which in turn boosts our immune system, keeping us healthy. Walking is one of the easy and most effective exercises to incorporate into your fitness routine. Daily brisk walking for thirty minutes keeps you free of stomach disorders and other medical issues. A bike ride, dancing, breathing exercises, jogging, crunches, and yoga poses like the boat pose, triangle pose, child’s pose, bow pose, and standing forward bend are great for improving digestion. Exercising can help in stretching and relaxing the abdominal muscles.
Drink plenty of water
Water contributes to the digestion of meals, allowing the system to absorb the nutrition. The mucosal lining of the intestines, and the balance of good bacteria in the gut, have been found to benefit us by drinking enough water. The simplest way to maintain a healthy stomach is to stay hydrated. You must drink at least 2-3 liters of water every day for a healthy gut.
Sleeping pattern
Sleep deprivation can cause stress, and stress harms the gut. It is frequently associated with a poor diet, increased alcohol intake, and weight gain. It also demonstrates that sleep deprivation is harmful to the brain. When your brain is unhappy, it affects your entire body and thus affects your gut. To improve your sleeping patterns, you must make sure to eat three hours before bedtime, go to bed at the same hour every night, avoid screens or use night mode, and set a wake-up ritual.
Your gut health depends on your oral health.
Oral health can affect your gut. For example, you may not be able to chew your food correctly if your teeth are crooked, missing, or if some gum disease makes chewing difficult. Hence, it is necessary to take care of your dental hygiene. To do that, you must brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush at least twice a day, floss every day, and after brushing and flossing, use mouthwash to eliminate any remaining food particles. Also, consider quitting smoking.
These were some of the simplest ways you can take care of your gut health daily.