6 Ways To Improve Your Gut Health

Your gut is made up of trillions of bacteria and they are collectively known as your gut microbiome. The good bacteria in your gut are incredibly important for your overall health as they help to move things through your stomach properly. There are many probiotic supplements on the market today that can improve your gut health, but there are also many things you change in your environment that can help (plus, it's much less expensive).

Read on to learn 6 easy ways to improve your digestion, increase your metabolism, decrease inflammation and minimize your risk of chronic disease:

1. Eat Fresh, Whole Foods

You're probably not surprised that eating fresh, whole foods is at the top of this list! Whole grains and nuts are full of fiber that bulk up our intestines and helps things to move through our stomach. The grains and nuts then become a type of food for all the bacteria and they've been to shown increase the types and numbers of bacteria in our gut.

Fresh vegetables, fruit and beans then serve as nutrition for the bacteria in our gut. So all of these whole, healthy foods really work together to nurture the bacteria and keeps things running smoothly!

Also limit the amount of sugary, prepackaged, and processed foods as they can cause yeast to grow and throw off delicate gut balances.

2. Take Care Of Your Teeth

You read that right. Your teeth and your gut do actually relate to one another! Make sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly as studies have shown that bacteria from your mouth can get into your stomach and cause problems. 

3. Eat Fermented Foods 

Maybe you've heard about eating yogurt for your gut health, but let's open it up to eating even more fermented foods! They have many good bacteria to improve your gut health. These are some examples of fermented foods that you can incorporate into your diet:

• Sauerkraut
• Kefir
• Kimchi
• Kombucha
• Tempeh
• And finally, low sugar yogurt of the plain, natural variety

4. Eat Dark Chocolate and Foods With Polyphenols

 Many of you may already have this one incorporated in your life! Dark chocolate is rich in polyphenols, which are fiber-rich, plant-based molecules that travel into your intestine where microbes use them for fuel. 

• Flaxseeds
• Vegetables (especially onion, artichoke, and spinach)
• Nuts
• Olives
• Green tea
• Berries
• Coffee and Tea
• Herbs and Spices
• Cocoa Powder

These foods that are rich in polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels and cellular stress.

5. Use Spices

Feel free to spice up your meals with garlic, turmeric, ginger, and your other favorite spices! They help to get rid of the bad bacteria in your gut, without hurting the good ones.