Benefits Of A Healthy Gut
Last week, in the first of our 4 part mini-series on gut-health, we covered the basics of the human gut, how it works and the function it provides as part of human anatomy. This week, we’re diving into the potential health benefits associated with the gut, from the somewhat obvious to the outright surprising! Take a look.
Though it isn’t always apparent, when we take care of our gut, our bodies are open to an assortment of direct and indirect health benefits. This includes advantages related to nutrient absorption and better bowel function. There’s also an array of not-so-obvious benefits that come with better gut health, such as immunity and skin health. Below we’ve listed the top 6 benefits of a healthy gut that everyone should know about. Check it out!
1. Improve General Wellbeing
You’d be surprised by how much our gastrointestinal tract can impact our general health and wellbeing. One of the core functions of our gut is to digest the food we consume, absorb the nutrients our body requires, and effectively expel waste regularly. So, the efficacy of this system is crucial for our well-being.
Though it doesn’t stop there. Our microbiome can influence many essential systems in our body - including our heart, brain, mood, sleep, immunity, and more. So, by ensuring your microbiome is balanced every day, you’ll be helping to ensure all these systems are operating properly.
2. Reduce Discomfort
Symptoms like regular bloating, cramping, and excessive gas are very commonly linked with poor gut health. This can occur when gut bacteria becomes imbalanced and certain strains become scarious - causing the gut to become more sensitive.
This is where probiotics can come in handy to keep gut bacteria balanced and avoid discomforts. Also try to reduce bloating by eating fewer foods that trigger gas - such as fizzy drinks, sweeteners, and dairy.
3. Improve Bowel Function
One of the most obvious benefits of looking after your gut is better bowel function. When the microbiome is properly balanced with good bacteria, it can prevent the growth of pathogens that trigger conditions like diarrhea or constipation.
For regular bowel movements, one of the best things you can do for your gut is to take a daily probiotic, eat adequate amounts of fibre, drink more water, and limit stress.
4. Better Nutrient Absorption
This one is a no-brainer - one of the clearest benefits of good gut health is better nutrient absorption.
When the microbiome is imbalanced, it’s harder for nutrients to be properly broken down and absorbed by the body. By ensuring our gut bacteria is diverse and positively balanced, you can encourage full nutrient absorption from every meal.
5. Support Immunity
Did you know your gut bacteria can impact your immunity? It’s been suggested that our gut bacteria can assist with specific immune responses and fight off incoming diseases.
This can help to keep you healthier and reduce the frequency of infection. If you’re looking for ways to help support your gut bacteria for immunity, one of the best things you can do is grab a probiotic. Daily probiotics might be able to assist in supporting the production of antibodies to strengthen immunity.
6. Better Skin
The effects of an unhealthy gut can extend far beyond the intestines. In fact, some people will often experience adverse effects on their skin - typically in the form of eczema or rosacea.
An inflamed gut may extend to the skin, specifically by exposing the skin to certain proteins that trigger this reaction. To help reduce inflammation in your gut, try eating more anti-inflammatory foods, reducing stress, eating a diverse diet, and supplementing with daily probiotics. Your skin will thank you!
The Signs Of An Unhealthy Gut
It’s important to note a healthy gut isn’t a given. Before you can start enjoying the benefits of good gut health, it is important to first understand the signs that may suggest your gut health isn’t quite where it needs to be.
There can be many signs that could suggest an unhealthy gut - though one of the most common is gastrointestinal discomfort. This includes symptoms like bloating, cramping, and irregular bowel movements.
That being said, other signs of gut issues aren’t as obvious. There are many subtle indicators that might suggest your gut needs some love - including changes in weight, fatigue, sugar cravings, mood changes, skin irritation, and more.
*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.