Maintaining gut health is a topic that has experienced a significant surge on social media in recent years, and the market size of probiotics to support overall gut health is estimated to reach $2.27 billion by 2029, in the UK. The demand looks set to go beyond a passing social media trend.
Gut health is thought to play a vital role in helping to maintain your overall health, from assisting with nutrient absorption from the food you eat to supporting brain function. So, if you're curious and want to know how to improve your gut health, our tips may be able to help you.
Why is Gut Health Important?
The significance of gut health extends far beyond simply helping to break down food – it plays a pivotal role in supporting a number of bodily functions, including:
- Energy Recovery
- Cognitive Health
- Immune System Support
- Sleep
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Heart Health
In addition, recent studies have unveiled a connection between the gut and the brain, which may influence your mood, cognition and stress management. Therefore, understanding what may help to support your gut could influence your overall health.
Signs of Poor Gut Health
Here are the many signs of poor gut health:
How to Improve Your Gut Health
If you’re wondering how to improve your gut health, here are a few lifestyle changes you can implement that may be able to help:
Reduce Stress Levels
Chronic stress may disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to a number of symptoms such as poor immune function, inflammation and an increase in food cravings.
By actively working to manage stress levels with practices such as meditation, spending time in nature and connecting with loved ones, you could help to maintain your gut health.
Prioritise Sleep
Insufficient sleep has been linked to an imbalance in gut bacteria, which could lead to increased inflammation. Similarly, gut health may also impact your sleep quality, due to the connection between your brain and gut microbiome. This connection influences various physiological processes which could regulate sleep patterns. So, it’s crucial to prioritise quality sleep and your gut health as they both work together to support the healthy function of your body.
Stay Hydrated
Keeping the gut hydrated creates an optimal environment for nutrient absorption, which may help to improve gut health. It’s also important to prioritise hydration as it could increase the diversity and variation in the gut microbiome, which is essential for optimal digestion. If you don’t drink a sufficient amount of water, it could increase the risk of abdominal issues. As a guide, you should aim to drink between 6-8 glasses per day, which is roughly 2-2.5 litres.
Maintain a Balanced Diet
Following a balanced diet consisting of a wide variety of food groups and reducing the amount of processed, high-sugar and high-fat foods you eat may help to maintain your gut health.
If you’re wondering what foods are good for gut health, here are some of the best ones to include in your diet:
- Vegetables: Broccoli, leeks, and asparagus.
- Legumes: Chickpeas, beans and lentils.
- Spices: Turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cumin and cardamom.
- Fruits: Apples, bananas, pineapple, pears and papaya.
- Nuts and Seeds: Hemp seeds, hazelnuts, chia seeds, almonds and cashews.
- Fermented Foods: Kombucha, kimchi, tempeh, kefir and yoghurt.
The above foods are either pre- or probiotic rich foods, which may collectively introduce or promote a balanced gut microbiome.
Exercise
Engaging in exercise such as running, walking, yoga, or HIIT may stimulate blood flow to the digestive system. This could enhance nutrient absorption and contribute to a more resilient and balanced gut environment.
There you have it, all our top tips on how you can help to improve your gut health. If you’re looking to introduce collagen into your routine, discover the right supplement with our in-depth guide today.
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