5 Healthy Gut Tips

By now you are probably very familiar with how important our guts are to our overall health. After all, it is said that the gut is our “second brain,” potentially having as much of an effect on our mental health as our physical health.

The scary thing is, for most of us, our gut health is seriously lacking. From the moment we are born our once sterile microbiome is polluted with bad bacteria from the air we breath, to the things we eat and the products we put on our bodies.

While we will never be able to repair our guts to full perfection, there are many steps we can take to help restore and promote healthy bacteria in our bodies. 

Here are five of my favourite tricks that I am trying to turn into a habit so I can treat my gut with the utmost respect it deserves:

Probiotics

Probiotics are an easy first step in healing your microbiome. They are flavourless, easy to store at either room temperature or in the fridge and for most people, have limited to no side effects. I personally look for a brand with over 50 billion good bacteria cultures. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACD has a ton of gut-healing properties. My favourite is that it aids in digestion. Try adding 1 tablespoon to a glass of water and drinking it first thing in the morning, before you eat anything. This will allow you to better absorb the nutrients from your food. 

 

Water

I can go on and on about the benefits of drinking water. But in prioritizing your gut, water is crucial to getting things moving and promoting healthy bowel movements. In this case, it’s not just about the quantity of water but the quality too. Make sure to drink clean, filtered water without the use of chlorine, as chlorine can actually be counterproductive and kill the good bacteria in our guts.

Anti-inflammatory foods

It’s a no brainer that anti-inflammatory foods such a dark leafy greens and healthy fats are vital to a healthy lifestyle and it is no different when it comes to your gut. Swapping out our inflammatory foods like refined sugar, fried food and dairy for healthier choices isn’t just about looking better on the outside but your gut with also thank you for it.

Sleep

You know that anxious pit in your stomach when you are stressed? Well this is the perfect example to show you how stress literally affects our gut. There are many ways we can try and manage our stress but sleep is one of the most important. Getting enough rest each night will help relax your nervous system during the day, ultimately leading to a more peaceful state of mind (in your head and gut!).

* All photos from Google Images*