4 Easy Ways to Improve Gut Health

Your gut is made up of trillions of bacteria; most of which are essential to your overall health. Some, however, carry diseases that can lead to major health complications in the future.

There are many factors that contribute to the presence of harmful gut bacteria, including your diet and nutrition. With a few alterations to your lifestyle, you can promote a healthy gut and good health overall.

Read on for four easy ways to improve your gut health today.

Eat a Balanced and Diverse Diet

With so many different types of bacteria in your gut, it’s impossible to keep them all healthy with a monotonous diet. Each species requires different nutrients to grow and prevent diseases from forming.

The best way to promote a healthy microbiome is to eat a balanced, diverse diet. This means incorporating a variety of foods into your meals, including plenty of:

Fruits
Vegetables
Legumes
Protein
Greens

The traditional Western diet is not particularly diverse, so making an effort to introduce a variety of healthy foods into your diet—while consuming less sugar and saturated fats—is essential for strengthening your gut health.

Eat Plenty of Prebiotics

Prebiotics are foods that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. They are mainly found in starches and fibers that cannot be digested by human cells—instead, the bacteria in your gut break them down so you can use them for fuel.

While prebiotic supplements are available for purchase, the nutrients appear naturally in a variety of foods. Some foods that contain a high level of prebiotic fiber include:

Beans and legumes
Onions
Garlic
Berries and bananas
Oats

A diet rich in prebiotics has been proven to cultivate a variety of bacteria that promote a healthy gut. Additionally, prebiotics are thought to reduce triglyceride, cholesterol, and insulin levels in those who are overweight; this serves to reduce the risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease, as well as strengthen the immune system overall.

Take Probiotic Vitamins

Similar to prebiotics, probiotics play a major role in your gut health. Probiotics are essentially live bacteria found in certain foods that have numerous nutritional benefits.

When consumed, probiotics can change the composition of your gut microbiome; an improvement for those who are affected by certain diseases. Even without a compromised system, evidence suggests that probiotics can improve the efficiency of your gut microbiome.

However, the easiest way to make sure you’re getting enough probiotics is to take a supplement. Be sure to consult with a doctor before using any supplements to find the right one for you.

Add Fermented Foods to Your Diet

For a more natural way to improve your gut health, add some fermented foods to your diet. Fermented foods often contain probiotics and other nutritional value, with some popular sources being: