Gut health is essential for your overall well-being as a healthy gut will boost your immune system and improve your cardiovascular health along with a wide range of other benefits. There are trillions of bacteria living in our bodies and most of them are found in the gut. Not all bacteria are harmful as they can help us to digest food better. Certain bacteria types, however, can cause various diseases. The type of bacteria found in your gut depends on many factors including the food you ingest. If you want to eat tasty foods while improving your gut health, here are 7 tasty foods that will do the trick.
1. Yogurt
Friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics, that live in the digestive tract help with digestion. Yogurt is rich in probiotics and will keep these friendly bacteria at a healthy level. Look for sugar-free and full-fat yogurt products as they contain the highest amount of probiotics. You can add fruits or whole grains to yogurt to make it tastier. Yogurt can be incorporated into any meal whether breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Yogurt drinks may contain more friendly bacteria than yogurt, but they typically contain a high amount of sugar.
2. Dark Chocolate
Who doesn’t love chocolate, right? However, not all chocolate is good for gut health. Dark chocolate in particular is rich in polyphenols which are plant-based molecules that microbes in the intestines use for generating energy for the body. Dark chocolate also has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces cellular stress, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. You can eat bars of dark chocolate or mix it with supplement drinks. You can find recipes using dark chocolate in various delicious meals.
3. Sauerkraut
A hot dog is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “sauerkraut”. It is one of the main ingredients in hot dogs but the hot dog itself may not be beneficial for your gut health. Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage and similar to other fermented foods, it contains large amounts of probiotics, vitamins, and fiber. When choosing a sauerkraut product, stay away from ones that have been pickled in vinegar as they don’t have the same benefits.
4. Supplements
Supplements provide the body with needed nutrients in higher doses than foods. To improve the digestive system, you can rely on gut health supplements instead of eating huge amounts of food to get the same result. The supplements come in various forms such as pills and powder. Find supplements that are tasty so you can use them more often. Most supplements have different flavors, especially powder supplements, and they can be mixed with water or other liquids to drink anywhere and at any time.
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5. Garlic
Garlic might not be the best for your breath, but it does wonders for your overall health including your gut. It has been found that garlic is a good source of prebiotics which stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria in the gut. Prebiotics are a type of soluble fiber that keep your gut health in balance as they provide fuel for healthy gut microbes. Garlic is used in endless recipes and can be the main ingredient in some supplements.
6. Salmon
Salmon is a delicacy enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. Fish is good for health in general, but salmon has anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its high level of Omega 3 fatty acids. A study has found that women who consumed Omega 3 fatty acids have more diverse gut bacteria than other participants. The diverse gut bacteria help with various functions like overall gut health. Salmon is used in a lot of recipes and can be eaten at any time of the day. If you are allergic to fish, you can consume supplements to provide your body with Omega 3 fatty acids.
7. Raspberries
Besides being extremely tasty, one cup of raspberries will cover one-third of the fiber intake your body needs daily. Raspberries contain potent antioxidants called polyphenols which are extremely beneficial for gut microbes. Whether fresh or frozen, raspberries maintain their nutritional value. They are delicious so you can eat them by themselves or you can add them to yogurt, high-fiber cereal, or oatmeal. A raspberry smoothie is another delicious option and you can drink it at any time.
It is essential to provide your gut with different nutrients such as probiotics and prebiotics. Diversifying your diet will improve gut health considerably as long as the food is healthy. You have to wait for a couple of weeks at least to feel the difference in your digestion. Be patient as you indulge in good, tasty food that you are sure to benefit from.
