6 Amazing Foods for Maintaining The Gut Health

How to maintain the gut health. Our body has an immune system which protects us from harmful bacteria and viruses. But when our gut gets damaged or unhealthy, our immune system becomes weak and unable to protect us from these infections.

The human digestive tract contains 100 trillion microorganisms that live in symbiotic relationship with our bodies. These microbes play a crucial role in maintaining good health by helping us digest food, absorb nutrients, and fight off disease.

According to Marham humans are always in search of ways to enhance their food quality. Researchers have worked a lot on the nutritional values of different foods. And as your gut is the main system that receives these foods, it is important to know about the foods that are good for your gut. 

Digestive issues are very common nowadays. People suffer from many diseases and disorders that are related to the stomach and intestines. Many factors, like lifestyle of today’s man, are responsible for these health problems. If you are having any health-related problems related to your gut, get yourself checked by the best gastroenterologists in Karachi.

Which Foods are good for the Gut?

The normal flora or micro biome of your gut is important for having a healthy life. Foods play an important role in your body. Apart from the nutritional value, some foods are good for promoting gut health. Your gut needs fiber rich foods that are helpful in promoting normal digestion process. Moreover, your gut also needs probiotics (good bacteria) and prebiotics (substances on which good bacteria feed on), to continue the healthy digestion process in your gut. 

Let’s find out about some healthy foods that can help you maintain your gut’s health

Fermented Foods containing Probiotics:

Fermented foods have beneficial bacteria in them that act as probiotics in your body. Kimchi is a fermented vegetable that has a lot of health benefits. Yogurt is also a good example of a fermented food that replenishes the healthy bacteria in your gut. 

Fermented soy foods, fermented milk like Kefir, and sauerkraut, a fermented cabbage, are some of the other healthy foods for your gut.

High Fiber Foods containing Prebiotics:

Prebiotics are helpful in maintaining the growth of good bacteria in your gut. Fiber-rich foods act as prebiotics because the complex carbohydrates present in them get fermented and broken down into simpler substances that act as food for good bacteria in your gut. 

So eating fruits that are high in fiber, like bananas, apples, and blueberries, is a good way to get these prebiotics. Other foods like asparagus, sweet potatoes, quinoa, nuts, almonds, onions, broccoli, etc. are some of the examples of fiber-rich foods containing prebiotics.

When you are on antibiotic medication, it is important to take probiotics and prebiotics as the antibiotics kill good bacteria in gut along with infectious bacteria. But you should not take probiotics along with antibiotics, rather give at least 2 hours gap between the two. 

In this article we will discuss about some amazing foods which help to maintain the gut health. There are several ways to improve the health of your gut. One of them is to eat more fiber. Fiber helps to keep your digestion healthy and regular. It also helps to prevent constipation and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Amazing Foods for Maintaining The Gut Health

1. Sprouts

Sprouts are vitamin and mineral-rich foods. They are the growth on the seeds or spores that germinate in dampness. Different grains germinate sprouts that are used as healthy and delicious food.

Due to the high levels of folate, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, etc., sprouts are considered super healthy foods for your gut.

2. Lentils

Lentils may be considered a simple meal, but they are high in nutritional value. They are rich in zinc, folate, iron, vitamin B, and resistant starches. These starches act as a gut booster. The carbs in the lentils ferment and play a role as prebiotics for good bacteria.

So, including a bowl of lentils in your daily meals can help your stomach to maintain its normal flora.

3. Avocado

Avocado is a miracle fruit. The presence of unique and healthy fatty acids like omega-3 in this fruit makes it superior to other foods. The healthy fats present in avocado act as an anti-inflammatory agent in your intestines. As the fruit is also rich in fiber, it also provides prebiotics to the beneficial bacteria in your gut and maintains a normal micro biome. Apart from eating healthy foods for gut health, it is important to avoid foods that are problematic for your digestive system.

4. Almonds

These foods help to maintain the health of your digestive tract by providing nutrients that support its function. They also provide essential vitamins and minerals that promote good health. 

5. Bananas 

Bananas contain potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, folate, fiber, and manganese. Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure and keep bones strong. Vitamin B6 supports healthy nervous system function. Magnesium promotes muscle relaxation and energy production. Folate is needed for cell division and DNA synthesis. Fiber aids digestion and keeps the colon clean. Manganese is necessary for proper thyroid hormone metabolism.

6. Blueberries 

Eating foods rich in antioxidants and other nutrients can help maintain good gut health. These superfoods include blueberries, apples, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and red wine.

 

Why are Probiotics and Prebiotics Essential for Gut Health? 

Gut bacteria are responsible for maintaining healthy digestion. They are helpful in breaking down many large food nutrients and absorbing those nutrients into the blood stream from the intestines. To maintain the normal growth in the form of colonies, these bacteria need probiotics and prebiotics. 

Eating foods that are high in probiotics and prebiotics is essential for your gut health. If these bacteria are not present in a sufficient amount, you may suffer from many health problems. As fewer nutrients are absorbed from your gut, you may suffer from malnutrition also.

Conclusion:

Having a healthy digestive system is key to a healthy life. Foods play an important role in maintaining the health of your gut. Foods that are rich in probiotics such as kimchi, yogurt, prebiotic foods like bananas, lentils, high fiber, healthy fatty acid containing foods like avocado, etc. are good for your gut. Eating these foods in a normal proportion with an active lifestyle is crucial to having a healthy gut.

Consult the best gastroenterologists in Karachi for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of digestive disorders and diseases.