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The best gut healing foods may support gut health by reducing inflammation, supporting beneficial gut bacteria, and providing important nutrients to the cells lining your digestive tract.  We’ll discuss five great gut healing foods and recommend one of the best gut health supplements on the market.

The gut plays a big role in our lives. It’s much more than just a mechanism for digesting our food; in fact, millions of bacteria and microorganisms live inside our guts in what is known as the gut microbiome. Keeping the microbiome in balance has many effects on overall health. 

The gut shares a connection with the brain via what is known as the gut-brain axis. Due to this connection, an unhealthy gut can lead to problems with mood and mental clarity. The gut also provides most of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions.

In terms of physical health, a poorly balanced gut microbiome can increase permeability in the gut lining, a condition known as leaky gut syndrome. Studies also show that gut bacteria imbalance can lead to chronic illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease and even cancer.

We’re not always as kind to our guts as we should be, eating highly processed foods and drinking alcohol, which can damage and alter our gut microbiome. Fortunately, there are many foods that can mitigate this damage.  Here are five gut healing foods that do just that.

5 Great Gut Healing Foods is an original (HealthXWire) article.

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Gut healing foods:

Yogurt

Yogurt is chock-full of gut-friendly probiotics, or good bacteria that live in your digestive tract and improve the digestive process. 

Greek yogurt has exploded in popularity recently and is a great option to heal your gut. The straining process takes a few of the nutrients with it, but it leaves a thick creamy final product that is concentrated with other nutrients like protein.

Gut healing foods:

Apples

Apples are a rich source of pectin, a soluble fiber that increases stool volume and is therefore commonly used to resolve constipation and diarrhea. It has also been shown to decrease the risk of intestinal infections, as well as inflammation in the colon.

All apples are high in pectin, but green apples are believed to contain the most.

Gut healing foods:

Whole grains

Foods containing whole grains are also healthy for the gut. This is because they are packed with dietary fiber that helps mitigate constipation. Making yourself a sandwich with whole grain bread is one easy way to heal your gut. 

Other benefits of whole grains include lowering levels of total cholesterol, LDL or “bad cholesterol,” triglycerides, and insulin.

Gut healing foods:

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, which causes them to form a gelatin-like substance in your stomach once consumed. They work like a prebiotic, supporting the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut and contributing to healthy digestion.

Gut healing foods:

Triphala

Triphala is an herbal concoction consisting of three plants native to India and has been used for thousands of years as a healing remedy. It has many purported benefits, including reducing inflammation and protecting against some cancers. It can help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, according to research.

Gut healing foods:

Supplements

Incorporating gut healing foods into our diets is a great way to support gut health, but sometimes we don’t have time to plan healthy gut friendly meals. This is where taking a supplement can be useful.

There are many gut health supplements on the market today such as probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Medicine Man Plant Co. makes a supplement called The Gut Pill, a blend of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Calendula, Marshmallow root, and Triphala. All of these ingredients are bacteria or ancient plant extracts formulated to work together to support a healthy gut and aid in nutrient absorption.

“Nature is about nutrient transfer and if you aren’t transferring nutrients properly bad things will befall you,” their website reads. “Eating the right foods won’t benefit you if your gut can’t digest them. Let’s get the systems in your gut working right.”

Supplementation is a great way to build and maintain a healthy gut. But if you’re worried about how supplements might interact with other medications you’re taking, it is always good to check with a doctor first.

Going with your gut:

Building an overall gut health plan

Gut healing foods are only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to gut health. There are tools and strategies you can incorporate beyond what you put in your mouth.

Make sure that you regularly exercise, as research has suggested that it may improve gut health and generate a greater variety of gut flora in the microbiome. Additionally, be sure to get plenty of quality sleep as studies show that irregular sleep patterns alter bacteria in the gut and increase the risk of inflammation.

A healthy gut is the cornerstone of a healthy body and there are many ways to maintain it. Sometimes it can be as easy as incorporating a few gut healing foods into your diet.

Further Reading

Neuroscience News: Diet and Dementia: Study Uncovers Gut-Brain Link to Alzheimer’s

Medical News Today: Parkinson’s: Gut microbiome changes may be an early sign

CBS News: “Gut health” is more than a wellness buzzword, experts say. Here’s why it matters.

Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.

Regarding Nutritional SupplementsOr Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.