8 Gut Health Hacks You Need To Know
Over the last few weeks we’ve discussed how the gastrointestinal system works, the benefits of a healthy gut, and the common signs of an unbalanced system. In part three of our four part mini-series on gut health, we’re going to be sharing some simple tricks and hacks you can use to keep your gastrointestinal tract in tip-top shape.
Whether it’s by consciously eating slower or consuming a daily probiotic drink, there are plenty of healthy habits you can incorporate to nourish and support your gut health. The best part? Adding these hacks into your lifestyle is surprisingly simple and effective, especially when you understand the benefits they can offer to your gut.
If you’re looking for some healthy tips to supercharge your gut, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ve listed 8 gut health hacks for you to try now. Find out more below:
1. Eat Slower
When it comes to improving digestion and nutrient absorption, you should try eating and chewing your food a little slower. Bloating, gas and poor digestion are merely a few of the symptoms we can expect when eating quickly.
By slowing down and chewing your food properly, you can help your body effectively break down those larger meals for better digestion. This will also lead to more satisfaction from your meals, which can assist with weight loss.
2. Consume A Daily Probiotic Drink
Probiotic supplementation has often been associated with gut health. What is lesser associated with most probiotic products is the impact stomach acid can have on survival rates. Unlike supplements, probiotic drinks provide the ideal environment for living probiotics to thrive. This includes moisture, a controlled temperature, and a balance of sugar.
PERKii's micro-shield technology is uniquely positioned in that it provides that support the probiotic needs inside the product, but also through the stomach for a targeted release in the gut. Allowing more probiotics to reach your gut.
3. Consume A Diverse Diet
You’d be surprised by how much the food you eat every day can influence your gut health. So, it’s important to supercharge your diet with the right nutrients to feed your good bacteria.
Eating healthy food regularly is a great start, though to keep your microbiome rich and diverse, you’ll need to consume a diverse diet. This should include plenty of fibre to feed your gut bacteria and encourage it to thrive.
Some high-fibre foods to add into your diet include dried fruit, seeds, nuts, vegetables, and lentils.
4. Grab A Prebiotic
You may already be using probiotics to nourish your gut bacteria, though have you heard of prebiotics before? Unlike probiotics, prebiotics are designed to feed the good bacteria that are already in your gut - helping to encourage growth.
They can be taken with probiotics to boost efficacy. If your gut needs an extra hand balancing out, it might be worth picking up a prebiotic too.
5. Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
If there’s one thing you should do to improve your gut health, it’s to avoid artificial sweeteners. It’s believed that artificial sweeteners can have a poor impact on your gut bacteria, specifically by shifting the balance of good and bad bacteria.
6. Eat More Polyphenols
You simply can’t underestimate the value of polyphenols when improving your gut health. These humble, organic compounds are found in certain foods and are great for your gut bacteria.
Polyphenols help to maintain your microbiome by supporting the growth of good bacteria and stopping the development of any pathogens - which can keep your gut in balance. In other words, they’re like mother nature’s prebiotic.
If you’re looking to add more polyphenols into your diet, try eating more nuts, berries, vegetables, tea, and avocados.
7. Stay Hydrated
There are countless systems in our body that demand adequate hydration, and our gastrointestinal tract is no exception.
Our bowels need water to maintain regular movements and to break down the food we consume. To keep your gut running smoothly and to avoid dehydration, you should aim to drink around 2 to 2.5 L of water each day.
8. Uncover Any Food Intolerances
Have you ever noticed that your gut seems to feel irritable or bloated after eating certain foods? It might be due to an undiagnosed food intolerance.
If you suspect you have a food intolerance, don’t sit idly by - book-in with a dietitian to investigate. By uncovering any underlying intolerances, you can adjust your diet to support your gut and eliminate any related discomforts moving forward.
*The information in this article is opinion only, and any advice provided is designed for those with no healthcare issues. Before adjusting your diet, speak with your healthcare professional.
