Three Gut-Friendly Habits to Focus On This Year

Sharing words from an article by Laurentine ten Bosch

"The state of your gut health can and will influence the health of your entire body. It does this by influencing digestion as well as playing an essential role in the gut-brain axis. Through these two avenues, your gut health can impair almost every element of your body. With that in mind, here are the top 3 gut-friendly habits to focus on this year:

1. Focus On Gut-Friendly Nutrition
Good nutrition is essential for a healthy life, and it couldn’t be more true when it comes to supporting gut health. Your digestive system is the first port of call for any foods you eat; it’s where nutrients are absorbed and wastes are discarded, so where possible, you always want to be able to fill your diet with gut-friendly foods.

Foods you should definitely look to include are:

• Probiotics; kimchi, kombucha, miso, and organic tempeh.
• Prebiotics; apples, sauerkraut, asparagus, garlic, onion, leafy greens, and artichokes.
• Antioxidants; berries, salmon, spinach, red bell peppers, dark chocolate, and turmeric.

2. Get Daily Exercise
You probably know that 20 minutes of daily exercise is needed for your fitness, but were you aware that you need it for gut health too? The truth is, your digestive system is made to move. Moving your body and exerting your energy stores helps to replenish the cycle, rather than letting everything get stale inside you. It’s always best to think of it as a free-flowing river; you want your body to be in the current, not in a murky pool to the side (as comfortable as that might be). And here’s where you get to have fun! Make your daily exercise something you enjoy! A walk with your dog (if you have one), a swim, a dance class with friends - remember any movement that you can do is good!

3. Reduce Overall Stress Levels
Stress, now that’s a big one. In our modern world, people are collectively more stressed than ever before, and it’s a different kind of stress. It’s chronic, so much so that the World Health Organization has previously called it the epidemic of the 21st Century (this was a couple of years ago, of course). Stress doesn’t just impact your mind - it influences your entire body - especially your gut health. The two are so interconnected, limiting stress may support healthy digestion, promote regularity, and ease bloat.

These three steps may seem small and simple, but stick to them this year and watch the changes unfold in your life..."

Words above from article here

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Please note
Articles / studies within this blog are provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, including medication, you should contact your Doctor/local health care provider.

If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account, and if you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan