Given how much people rely on their 'gut feeling' before they make a
big decision, or decide to undertake a venture, the assumption is that
keeping the gut healthy may be very important. While 'gut feeling' is
just an expression to convey one's intuition or feeling about a certain
event or situation, the gut or the gastrointestinal tract still remains
one of the most important parts of the body, as it is responsible for a
healthy digestion, and transport of food from the mouth, to the other
organs of the digestive system.
A healthy diet is one of the key factors associated with a healthy
gut. The gut lining has microorganisms such as bacteria living in it,
and these help in the breakdown of food as well. When you consume foods
that boost the health and efficiency of the gut bacteria, your digestion
improves. However, there are more ways to improve gut health as well,
apart from diet.
5 ways to improve gut health, apart from diet
1. Stress management – Stress can have an adverse impact
on your body, including your gut. Managing stress by taking appropriate
breaks, avoiding situations that cause stress, meditation, or home
remedies such as herbal teas, can help in improving gut health.
2. Hydration – Water comprises of more than 70 per cent of
our body, and plays a crucial role in various body functions, including
digestion. Staying hydrated is very important to improve gut health.
Ensure that you drink at least 2-3 litres of water in a day.
3. Eat slowly – We have often heard our elders tell us
that we should eat slowly, and chew our food for longer. This is because
it helps in better synthesis of the food we eat, improves gut health,
and also helps in better absorption of the food.
4. Get moving – Physical activity can play a crucial role
in digestion and gut health. It helps in better absorption of food, and
also boosts the digestive system. Some physical activity in the form of
brisk walks, running, cycling, swimming, etc, should be incorporated in
your routine.
5. Check for allergies – Some people suffer from poor gut
health because they are unaware of allergies, or intolerances in their
body. For instance, if you are lactose intolerant and drink milk, you
are likely to experience bloating or diarrhoea, which can be signs of
poor gut health. Avoiding foods you are allergic or intolerant to, can
help improve gut health.
labels- healthy diet, improves, gut health, check for, allergies, keep moving, eat slowly, hydrated, stress management, lactose intolerant, bloating, diarrhea, physical activities,