For this week, we are going to be talking about different ways to improve your gut health, as gut health relates to the health of your entire body.
Did you know that the enteric nervous system found in the gut is home to nearly 100 million nerves found within the gut lining? That’s a tremendous amount of nerves which makes you think about how important proper gut health really is.
The enteric nervous system is often referred to as the “second brain” and it actually has many structures and chemicals very similar to the brain in your head!
This “second brain” of ours works to keep a harmonious balance of our hormone levels, neurotransmitters, as well as communication that goes back and form between the gut’s brain and the brain in your head! This all makes sense as to why an upset stomach is often associated with stressful situations!
Here’s just one more critical reason to take extra good care of your digestive system, it’s in charge of more than just digestion, it plays a role in your mental health as well.
If you are looking to boost gut health, here is a great place to start. Here are 3 tips to help you boost gut health and live a healthier life.
Tip #1: Reduce Stress
Did you know that your gut is home to your second brain? The gut-brain connection plays a critical role in your overall health, and with increased stress comes an increased strain on your digestive system. Ever wonder why your stomach is in knots every time you’re upset? This is because your gut’s “brain” is directly connected to the brain in your head. Take some time to relax this week, and your gut will thank you for it.
Tip #2: Reduce Sugar Consumption
We all know that sugar is linked to numerous different health conditions, but your stomach takes a major hit each time you consume large amounts of sugar. The thing is that sugar feeds bad bacteria, and bad bacteria leads to poor digestive health. Reduce your sugar content this week by cutting back on added sugar such as the sugar you put in your coffee or tea in the morning and replace it with a natural sweetener such as a teaspoon of raw honey or pure maple syrup.
Tip #3: Enjoy Probiotic Rich Foods
Probiotic rich foods are your belly’s best friend. These foods feed the healthy gut bacteria in your digestive tract, so feel free to add these foods into your diet. With healthy gut bacteria comes a healthy mind and a healthy body. Try things like sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir.
Looking to really get on the right track? Try this week’s challenge.
For this week’s digestive health challenge, I want you to remove at least two of the following foods from your diet. These foods are known to cause gastrointestinal distress and lead to nothing but unwanted digestive symptoms. Replace these foods with one of the healthy substitutes below.
Eliminate These
- Sugar
- Artificial sweeteners
- Refined carbohydrates
- Processed foods
- Trans and hydrogenated fats
- Heavy non-organic dairy products
Enjoy These:
- Sauerkraut
- Kombucha
- Raw honey
- Coconut oil
- Kefir
- Whole grains
- Miso