5 Foods to Improve Gut Health
Probiotics may be one of the most important groups of nutrients that improve the function of your intestine and other organs. However, many people are not familiar with the significance of incorporating a healthy dose of probiotics into their diet. Here are a few foods and drinks that provide your body with the probiotics it needs to function properly.
1. Yogurt
Yogurt is enriched with healthy bacteria that help improve the performance of your gut and boost its overall function. Probiotics facilitate the growth of healthy bacteria in your body, which prepares your body to fight against gut inflammation. Yogurt is an inexpensive, plentiful source of probiotics, but be sure to choose the most beneficial varieties. Organic and Greek yogurts contain a higher level of probiotics as compared to their non-organic counterparts. Avoid purchasing yogurt that is actually labeled as a “probiotic.” The companies that claim to offer probiotic-laden yogurts tend to add corn syrup, excessive sugar, artificial sweetener, and dyes in their products to expand its shelf life. Also, this type of yogurt is frequently pasteurized, which ends up killing the probiotics in the yogurt.
2. Kefir
Kefir is a yogurt substitute that provides high levels of probiotics to help treat inflamed or leaky gut. It is produced by combining rice, sheep, goat, cow, or coconut milk with a gelatinous grain and fermented. The fermentation process expedites the growth of healthy bacteria. Kefir contains approximately 10-34 types of probiotics that can quickly soothe the symptoms of a leaky intestine.
3. Kombucha
Kombucha is a type of drink enriched with high levels of probiotics and is often recommended to patients who have been diagnosed with an inflammatory and leaky gut. Kombucha’s high level of Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) plays a vital role in improving the performance and functions of your gut. It is prepared by combining SCOBY with sugar extracts to sweeten the juice and initiate the fermentation responsible for the probiotic content.
When correctly prepared, kombucha provides a number of health benefits that can help improve the condition of your digestive system, increase your metabolism, and aid the function of the liver.
4. Miso
Miso is packed with probiotics that play a crucial role in improving the performance of your gut. Miso is prepared by combining fermented rye, barley, and beans with koji. It is often recommended by nutritionists and doctors for patients diagnosed with an inflamed gut.
5. Natto
Natto is prepared through the fermentation of soybeans. It has a strong flavor and a high presence of probiotics. Natto consists of Bacillus Subtilis, which plays a vital role in the improvement of your immune system, absorption of vitamin K2, and overall cardiovascular health. It also contains high quantities of nattokinase, which may help in cancer treatment.
Are you ready to experience better gut health? It may be more complicated than adding in probiotics. So, let’s find out what’s going on inside that “second brain” of yours! Call Grey Matters of Carmel for a GI-Map and a customized neurofeedback training plan that will help both your mental and physical health.
Call (317) 215-7208 today!
Photo by amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash
