Trust Your Gut: Keys to Good G.I. Health
If you’ve ever suffered from severe abdominal pains, bowel troubles, or discomfort from indigestion and heartburn after eating, you know how important it is to take care of your gut. Take a side of these digestion essentials with your next meal to help improve gut health.
Evaluate Your Diet
Eating too many carbohydrates and too much sugar can negatively affect your gut and your bowels. To combat this, The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine recommends incorporating healthy levels of fiber into your everyday diet. Simply add foods high in soluble fiber, such as oatmeal, lentils, quinoa, and wheat bran.
Consider Probiotics
Did you know your gut holds close to 100 trillion cells of bacteria? According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information, they influence metabolism, nutrition, and your immune system. It’s easy, however, to throw these healthy bacteria off track. Antibiotics, for example, are built to get rid of bacteria and can wipe away even the good ones. When experiencing side effects from medication or trouble with digestion, take probiotics in the form of a supplement or foods like yogurt. They can help calm your stomach and return digestion to normal.
Cut Down the Heat
If you experience heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux, spicy foods may be to blame. By cutting down on the amount of acidic and spicy foods you consume, you may find relief.