By Dr. Surya Bhagwati
Chief In- House Doctor
BAMS, DHA, DHHCM, DHBTC | 30+ Years of Experience
Your gut health does more than just simply digest food and break it down into small pieces. Its effects can be felt in everything - Be it your immune system or your mental well-being.
When you eat unhealthy food that your gut dislikes, you will witness its after-effects across your body.
To ensure everything is hunky dory, consume the right food that will fortify your gutâs complex microbiome. Keeping your gut healthy means ensuring that thereâs a great balance between the gut bacteria, probiotics, prebiotics, and more.
To understand how to improve gut health naturally, scan through this article and find out more!
Tips to Improve Gut Health Naturally
Improving gut health artificially by consuming tablets or other supplements can lead to dependencies. What does it mean? Your gut will become dependent on external products. There are very few formulations available in the market that genuinely nourish your gut flora and fauna.
So, the best step forward is to find natural ways to improve gut health. 5 key tips on how to heal the gut naturally are given below for your reference.
Hydrate yourself
On average, our body needs between 3.5L to 4L of water every day to ensure our gut health is in top-notch condition. If the sufficient quota is not met, it tries to source water from the food you eat. When the water requirements are still not fulfilled, then your body will find it extremely difficult to move food through the intestines. So, aim to fulfil your daily water consumption to ensure your gut is clean and healthy.
Trust in fibres
Consuming foods like leafy greens, pear, beans, and berries ensures that your gut receives all the necessary fibres it needs to function properly. Fibres are a great source of prebiotics and help clean out your intestinal tract so that you feel light and good at all times.
Double down on exercises
Exercising and working your tissues & muscles allow you to keep your digestive health in check. There are certain exercises and yoga poses that are treated as natural ways to help gut health. Inculcate them daily in your life while you eat healthy to ensure your gut microbiome is in great condition.
Consume all types of healthy food
When you consume an array of foods, your body gets the âgood-goodâ bacteria and nutrients. The more types of bacteria are present in your gut, the healthier will be your microflora and the better you will feel in your day-to-day life. So, consume fruits, whole grains, vegetables, proteins, minerals, and vitamins to populate your gut with beneficial bacteria.
Say âNoâ to Processed foods
Processed food items are filled with added sugars and sodium that compromise your gut health. Consuming processed foods daily will lead to diarrhoea, gas, bloating, appetite loss, etc. The long-term effects can be even worse. So, say ânoâ to processed foods and switch to a healthy lifestyle.
Foods that arenât gut-friendly {80 - 100}
The above tips will answer your question on how to improve gut health naturally. But, to practise good food-eating habits, you also need to be aware of which foods to not consume. Below are key food items that harm the gut in more ways than you can imagine.
- Fried foods:Â These types of food are often made with substandard quality oil that is filled with saturated fats. This causes indigestion, gas and diarrhoea. Consuming unhealthy fried foods every day can also cause fatty liver.
- High-sodium foods & drinks:Â Consuming food or drinking liquids that are high in sodium can affect your digestive system severely and instantly cause bloating. It can also increase your blood pressure and cause other severe side effects in the long run.
- Artificial sweeteners:Â Eating or drinking anything that has artificial ingredients in it is not healthy for your body. Artificial sweeteners create an addiction to sugar and throw your gut health for a toss. You will feel bloated and gassy.
Why probiotics and prebiotics are a saviour
Foods with probiotics comprise live microorganisms that add âgoodâ bacteria to your body. Similarly, foods with prebiotics help in enriching your microflora, i.e., increasing the number of good microorganisms in your body. Thus, consuming drinks and foods that are filled with pro- and prebiotics helps you maintain your gut health. Some foods with probiotics are whole grains, onions, garlic, bananas, greens, soybeans and artichokes, while other foods with prebiotics are chicory root, garlic, asparagus, oats, barley, apples, and avocado.
Symptoms of Poor Gut Health
Given below are the early onset of the symptoms of poor gut health.
- Gas
- Heartburn
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rashes
Taking care of your gut health will reward you and your health in more ways than you can imagine. Youâll experience a strong immune system, good heart health, improved mood, effective digestion, and so much more.
Additionally, you can try Dr. Vaidyaâs Gut Care effervescent that helps kill harmful bacteria & gently cleanse the gut. You will experience freedom from acidity, bloating, & indigestion. So, why wait? Build your gut microbiome today and keep your stomach health in check. Your gut will thank you later!
Frequently asked questions
What are the best foods to eat for gut health?
If you wish to understand how to improve gut health naturally, you need to consume the best foods that nourish your stomach. Some of them are whole grains, proteins, fruits, green leafy vegetables, chia seeds, guava, apricots, etc.
What role does exercise play in gut health?
Exercising daily leads to peristalsis where the gut is contracted and relaxed externally. This helps in emptying the bowel effectively. The more you exercise, the better your gut health will be.
How can stress management improve gut health?
Stress is one of the leading causes of poor gut health. It increases the cortisol levels in your body which sends your gut health for a toss. Addressing stress at its roots will help you calm your mind, manage cortisol levels, and keep your gut health in check.
Dr. Surya Bhagwati
BAMS (Ayurveda), DHA (Hospital Admin), DHHCM (Health Management), DHBTC (Herbal Beauty and Cosmetology)
Dr. Surya Bhagwati is an established, well-known Ayurvedic expert with over 30 years of experience in treating and consulting in the field of Ayurveda. She is known for the timely, efficient, and patient-centred delivery of quality health care. The patients under her care receive a unique holistic treatment comprising not only medicinal treatment but also spiritual empowerment.