12 Ways to Keep Your Gut and Digestive System in Tip-Top Shape

Having a healthy gut and digestive system is much more than just feeling good around the middle. Poor gut health can have really serious health implications and impact on your overall well-being.

A healthy gut helps to keep your immune system, heart, brain, and mood all running smoothly. There are all kinds of reasons why your gut may not be performing well, and it is worth seeking medical advice if you are concerned.

There are lots of signs that you can be looking out for that are trying to tell you that things aren’t as they should be on the inside. There are also lots of things you can do to ensure that your gut has the best chance at serving you and your body in the best way it can.

Take a look at this collection of OGP articles all about how to keep your gut in tip-top shape.

1. Gut and Brain Health

Have you ever been so excited or nervous that you felt butterflies in your stomach or had a “gut-wrenching” experience? If you have, then you probably know just how interconnected the stomach and the brain are.  This is known as the gut-brain connection. “The gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation — all of these feelings (and others) can trigger symptoms in the gut.” It’s important to be aware of this connection to avoid any unwanted emotions or unpleasant sensations in your stomach. Let’s take a look at how science explains this connection! Read on to learn more about The Connection Between Gut and Brain Health.

2. Prebiotics

Are you looking to improve your gut health? Then look no further! A recent study identified the top five foods brimming with prebiotics, and they may surprise you. Dandelion greens, Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, leeks, and onions were found to have the highest prebiotic content among thousands of foods. Prebiotics, not to be confused with probiotics, are specific types of fiber found in various plant-based foods. They stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which is essential for overall health. A diet rich in prebiotics can help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, contributing to improved digestive function, better absorption of minerals like calcium, enhanced blood glucose regulation, and a robust immune system. Read on to learn how to Boost Your Gut Health with These Five Prebiotic-Rich Foods.

3. Kiwis for Gut Health

The soluble fiber found in kiwis may benefit blood sugar regulation and heart health and help support healthy gut bacteria. The insoluble fiber found within kiwis may also help keep bowel movements regular. Kiwis also contain an enzyme called actinidin that can play a role in aiding the digestive process. Probiotics are live yeasts and good bacteria that can be beneficial for your digestive system. They travel to your lower digestive tract and act as food to help the healthy bacteria grow. Check out the latest  TikTok Trend: Having Kiwis First Thing in the Morning for Gut Health.

4. Kimchi

Probiotics are necessary for gut health because the presence of good bacteria strengthens our immune system, and helps ward off cancer, heart disease, as well as autoimmune diseases. Probiotics are found in dairy products, but there are plenty of plant-based foods that contain probiotics too. Kimchi, in particular, is delicious, contains probiotics, and can absolutely be made vegan. It’s a fermented Korean side dish that boasts many benefits for your digestive system. Try these 8 Probiotic Recipes Using Kimchi For Better Gut Health.

5. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut, along with other fermented foods, has regained popularity in the last decade as we have become more in tune with how important a healthy gut is. The gut, we’ve realized, is integral to our overall wellness because it is where our food becomes the nutrition that supplies us with what we need. Without a healthy gut, our immune system weakens. Our mental stability deteriorates. Of course, we can develop different digestive ailments: bloating, constipation, and loose stool. It can be the cause of heartburn and nausea. Fatigue, skin problems, and halitosis can all be symptoms of an unhealthy gut. Read all about these 10 Ways to Use Sauerkraut for Improved Gut Health.

6. Plant Power

Boosting gut health is a hot topic these days and for good reason. Having a healthy gut can improve your immune system, regulate hormones, and even boost your mood. But how can you achieve optimal gut health amid all the noise around the topic? The answer is simple: eat a diverse range of plants through an abundance mindset. According to Dr. Megan Rossi, a practicing dietitian and nutritionist, diversifying your plant intake is the key predictor of a healthy gut microbiome. The more plant variety you eat, the better. To learn more, read this article on Plant Power: How Eating 30 Plants a Week Can Boost Your Gut Health.

7. More Prebiotics

It’s no secret that the food we eat greatly impacts all aspects of our physical and mental health. It’s especially important to include several sources of prebiotic-rich foods throughout the day for optimal results. Prebiotic foods are like fuel for good bacteria. They contain certain fibrous carbohydrates that nourish the good bacteria to help them to grow. This process helps build a healthy microbiome. Here is a list of 5 Gut Healthy Prebiotic Food Sources To Aid Digestion.

8. Plant-Based Diet for Gut Health

If you suffer from heartburn — also referred to as Acid Reflux Disease or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) depending on the severity of your systems — then you’ve most likely read up extensively on how to treat it. Most of the time this includes reducing stress, increasing restful sleep, and eliminating certain foods. Yet, there’s one avenue that has had proven results but gets lost behind the more obvious remedies — the health of your microbiota, or, more commonly known as, gut bacteria. Learn how to Improve Heartburn and Your Gut Health Through a Plant-Based Diet.

9. Gut Damage Due to Antibiotics

If you’ve been following health news lately, then you’ve most likely been inundated with information about gut health. Specifically, the health of your gut microbiome is intimately connected with overall health and even influences mood. This is all well and good except for the fact that one of the most useful tools in medicine may also be damaging the health of your gut. We’re talking about antibiotics. How can a medical invention that is so useful also be hurting your body? Let’s take a look at the relationship between antibiotics, gut health, and what you can do to protect yourself with this article all about the Best Plant-Based Foods to Counteract Gut Health Damage by Antibiotics.

10. Boost Your Gut Health

By now, most of us know that probiotics are essential to maintaining a healthy gut. These little bacteria work their way into our digestive tracts and prevent illness, and digestive upset, and can even benefit our mood health. The human microbiome is being studied now more than ever on its abilities to boost not just digestive function, but also our brain health, immune system, and overall longevity. To make things easy for you in your journey to optimize your gut health, we’ve listed seven ways you can add both prebiotics and probiotics to your meals throughout the day. Focus on these and your body will start to feel better from the inside out—literally! Here is a list of 7 Natural Ways to Boost Your Gut Health at Every Meal.

11. Fermented Foods

Fermentation gave rise to food preservation and has been used throughout history dating back to Neolithic times way before it was revered for its probiotic powers. It is the easiest way to extend the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables, intensifies the flavor of whatever you choose to ferment, and delivers your belly a dose of gut wellness. Incorporating probiotic-rich food into your diet seems to be trendy these days, but the reasoning behind this is more definitive. Here’s Why Fermented Foods Are Important For Gut Health.

12. Signs of an Unhealthy Gut

Proper gut health is hugely important and has a significant impact on your overall health.  It helps your immune system, heart health, brain health, mood, sleep, and digestion all function properly! A healthy gut may even help you avoid disease and some cancers. While one of the most common reasons for gut imbalance is a poor diet, there are many other reasons that you may not realize are affecting your gut. It’s important to understand what these signs are because an unhealthy gut can take a toll on your entire body. Let’s take a look at what you should be looking out for with these 6 Signs of an Unhealthy Gut and How to Heal It.

These articles are for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please seek medical attention if you are at all concerned or are suffering symptoms discussed in these articles. 

Related Content:

• How to Deal With Digestive Difficulties on a Plant-Based Diet
• Tips to Ease Stomach Problems When Switching to a Vegan Diet
• The Connection Between Gut and Brain Health
• A Guide to Your Gut Type and What This Means for Your Diet
• 5 Steps to Build and Maintain a Healthy Gut