We all know gut health is important to overall health
We all know gut health is important to our overall health
There’s certainly a lot of advertising for prebiotics and probiotics. We all have a new awareness for the Gut health is important! When the bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract are healthy and balanced, your body will have more comfortable digestion and a stronger immune system. Proper gut health has also been linked to improvement in overall mood, mental health, an increase in skin quality, and prevention of obesity. Each person has between 300 and 500 different species of bacteria living in their digestive tract! This is why it’s so important to make sure the bacteria you have is healthy and thriving.
As we all know, probiotics and prebiotics are an important step in improving gut health. Probiotics are the living bacteria that are healthy for our digestion, and prebiotics are the nutrients these bacteria need to survive. We can work as a team with our bacteria to improve our overall health! Keep reading for some tips to improve your gut health!
Add to and feed your microbiome
All the pro and prebiotics your body needs are packed into the fresh, wholesome foods you eat every day. By adding in or substituting out certain foods in your diet, you can be sure to treat your body well.
- High fiber foods including beans, peas, oats, bananas, berries, asparagus, leafy greens and many others serve as prebiotics.
Tip: Try changing out processed grains for whole grains to increase your fiber intake.
- Garlic and onion are especially rich in prebiotics.
- Fermented food and drinks such as cultured milk and yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and cheese promote the growth of probiotics.
Tip: Try Seasonal Roots’ Kombucha for a tasty kick, and yogurt made from farm fresh milk!
Hydration
Getting enough water everyday is an important step in promoting gut health. When the body is dehydrated, the large intestine will soak up water from the foods you eat, making it more difficult to pass. While it is recommended the average person drinks between six and eight glasses of water daily, this changes based on age, weight, activity level, and weather. This is why it is important to stay in tune with your body, and stay hydrated from both the water you drink and the foods you eat.
Sleep
Sleep is important for both the brain and body. Lack of sleep leads to hormone imbalances, which in turn causes increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. When stress levels become too high, there is a greater risk of leaky gut. This leads to bloating, inflammation, stomach pain, and changes in the gut’s microbiome. It is important to prioritize both the foods you eat and the amount of sleep you get!
About Seasonal Roots
Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, pastured eggs, grass fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.