Furthermore, it keeps inflammation under control which could reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, skin conditions, depression, or certain cancers. Plus, it could increase energy levels too.
Your gut health mainly depends on the type of food you eat. Eating foods high in prebiotic fiber, like bananas, greens, whole grains, onions, and garlic, is good for your gut.
On the other hand, certain foods have been known to irritate your gut and negatively affect your gut health. These include fried foods, red meat, processed foods, and sugar.
To know about the foods to avoid for better gut health, continue reading.
Can Eating the Right Type of Foods Improve Your Gut Health?
Your diet plays a very important role in your gut health. So yes, eating the right type of food can have a significant impact on your digestive and gut health. You need to be careful about what you eat as it can positively and negatively impact your gut. Consider taking a probiotic to alleviate your symptoms.
Eating a varied diet with plenty of fresh, whole foods is essential for gut health and an optimized microbiome. This means incorporating various veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds, as well as whole grains and legumes, into your meals.
Include resistant starch in your diet. Resistant starches ferment in the large intestine and serve as prebiotics, providing essential nutrition for beneficial bacteria.
Bananas are an excellent source of both fiber and essential minerals, including the kind that gut bacteria love. Pears are another excellent source of fiber. These are some foods that can improve your gut health.
Foods to Avoid for Better Gut Health
Maintaining a healthy gut is essential for overall well-being, so it's essential that you keep your digestive tract in top condition. To achieve this, avoid certain foods and focus on providing your gut with plenty of fiber-rich foods.
Processed Meat
Processed meat refers to foods such as deli meats, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and jerky that have been cured, fermented, smoked, or salted to enhance their flavor and extend shelf life. Eating too much-processed meat can have serious health repercussions as they affect your gut microbiome. Limiting processed meat consumption in your diet will encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. It may reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.
Sugar
A diet high in sugar can increase the risk of inflammation-prone bowel disease, gut-related autoimmune disorders, and food allergies. This is because sugar encourages the growth of harmful bacteria within the digestive tract. Thankfully, there are some sweet foods that won't harm your digestive tract. These include minimally processed items like fruit and nut bars, yogurt, and maple syrup.
Red Meat
Eating too much red meat can promote the growth of harmful gut bacteria that could ultimately lead to clogged arteries in the long run. Recent studies suggest that gut bacteria may produce breakdown products when we eat animal-based foods, potentially increasing our cardiovascular disease risk. To combat this, we suggest cutting back or eliminating processed meat. This can improve your gut health by increasing the diversity of your digestive microbiome.
Soy
Soy is one of America's most beloved foods, yet there is much controversy regarding its effects on gut health. Some proponents argue that soy can be beneficial, while others suggest it may lead to digestive issues and other ailments. There are a lot of foods that can harm your gut microbiome, so it's essential to know what to avoid.
Conclusion
If you're trying to maintain the health of your gut bacteria, it may be wise to avoid some common foods that don't have a great reputation. By avoiding processed meats, artificial sugar, and certain grains, you can help your digestive system stay at its optimal performance. In addition, fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha provide your gut with beneficial bacteria for optimal digestion. Begin your health journey with a diet that incorporates fibrous vegetables and fruits, along with whole grains, cultured dairy, and lean meats. Eating this way helps cultivate an expansive microbiome for optimal well-being.