Foods That Promote Better Digestive Health

Learn More About the Foods That Promote Better Digestive Health

Your digestive health plays a role in your total health, so it is important to do what you can to ensure that it is optimal. What you eat directly affects your gut and digestive system. Learning more about the best foods for this is a good place to start. Dietary changes are not too hard to make, so it is something that most people are able to do. You can talk to your doctor and read a good E-book on gut health to get further insight into your diet and its impact on digestion.

 

Bacteria and Gut Health

 

When you think about bacteria, your mind probably goes to infection, but there are approximately 40 trillion bacteria in your body and many are beneficial. The majority of these are found in your intestines. When you are eating to improve digestive health, you want to consume foods that help to support your gut bacteria. When the bacteria in your gut is too low, your digestive system might not be able to work as efficiently.

 

If the ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria is not proper, a number of uncomfortable symptoms are possible. These can include gas, heartburn, constipation, bloating and diarrhea.

 

Mangos

 

A number of fruits are ideal for gut health, but mangos are one of the best options. Researchers at Oklahoma State University recommend one mango a day in your diet. Not only might this enhance digestive health, but it could also help to control blood sugar. The nutritional profile in this fruit works to enhance digestion thanks to containing various bioactive compounds.

Yogurt and Kefir

 

When you are working to learn more about eating for better gut health, yogurt and kefir are two that you are going to see a lot about. Look for yogurt that has no added sugar and full fat. It will be packed with probiotics that help to remove the bacteria and fungi in your gut that can be harmful. Digestion might also be improved thanks to this food containing beneficial enzymes.

 

Kefir is said to be even better than yogurt since it has approximately 10 active and live strains of bacteria. This is a type of yogurt that is more often seen in Eastern Europe, but it is gaining popularity in the United States due to its ability to promote better gut health. Compared to the yogurt you are used to in the US, this type tends to be a bit more like a liquid and it has a tarter flavor.

 

Prebiotic and Probiotic Foods

 

You have probably heard about prebiotics and probiotics before because they are often discussed during certain yogurt commercials on television. You may have also received information when reading an E-book on gut health. Prebiotic foods are those with ingredients that gut bacteria feed on. Fiber is one of the primary nutrients for this purpose. When the bacteria are feeding on the nutrients, this results in fermentation byproducts that the digestive system needs for optimal health. Examples of these foods include almonds, legumes, bananas, oats, cereal grains and greens.

 

Probiotic foods are not fresh or typically cooked options like prebiotic foods. Instead, the foods are fermented, allowing the bacteria to naturally ferment. Fermented foods provide a healthy source of fiber for your gut health to feed on, as well as plenty of transient bacteria. This ensures that your gut microbes are diverse and able to improve the overall health of your digestive system. A number of foods can be fermented to serve a probiotic purpose, such as cultured non-dairy products, beans and grains, vegetables and cultured dairy products.

Sprouted Grains

 

Making this type of bread involves a special process that allows people to digestive it easier compared to breads that contain traditional wheat products. When you are digesting easier, your body is able to better absorb important nutrients. During the sprouting process, enzymes are released, allowing for the breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins. This option is also lower in carbohydrates compared to other types of bread and this too helps to promote easier digestion. Of course, if you are working to reduce your carbohydrate intake, this will be a more ideal choice too.

 

Coconut Oil

 

You probably already use coconut oil for different aspects of your health, but you might not be aware that it has the potential to promote better digestion too. This food is a type of medium chain fatty acid with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This makes it possible for it to restore stomach acidity levels to a healthy level. It can also kill off the bacteria and yeast that can cause harm in your gut, allowing the healthy flora to have the right environment to flourish and thrive.

 

Chocolate

 

Not all chocolate is beneficial for your gut, so keep this in mind. You want to find dark chocolate varieties since these tend to be higher in nutrients, especially active bacterial cells. The right types of dark chocolate have approximately 10 billion of these cells which contributes to a healthier and more balanced gut microbiome.

Polenta

 

This food is corn-based, high in fiber, contains complex carbohydrates and it has a fermentable component. The corn is credited with making sure that this food is able to promote greater gut health. The fiber contained in the food is insoluble, allowing it to make its way to the colon after you consume it. It transforms into several different types of gut flora after it ferments in the colon. Overall, the fermentable components will vary.

 

With this information, it will be a bit easier to ensure that your healthy gut bacteria are at the right level. Make sure that you are working the right foods into your daily diet. You should also pay close attention to your digestive health. If you notice the symptoms that happen when your good and bad bacteria are not within balance, it is time to reevaluate your diet. Making the proper changes and eating the right foods can help to restore the bacteria balance so that you feel better and ensure that your digestive system is working optimally.