Gut health is an often overlooked but essential aspect of one’s health and well-being. Maintaining a healthy gut reduces inflammation, lowering your risk of obesity and heart disease.
Many health benefits come from having the right balance of bacteria in your stomach. But how do you make sure you’re keeping your gut healthy?
From proper nutrition to exercise, we’re sharing some tips on how you can naturally improve your gut health.
Pay attention to your body
Each person has a unique gut flora that’s been developing since they were born. For this reason, what works for others may not work for you. This is why it’s essential to pay attention to your body. For starters, stick to reasonable food portions. By reasonable, we mean the right amount of food to keep you functioning optimally throughout the day.
The general rule of thumb is to eat the required calories for your age, size, and gender. But you should also factor in what your stomach tells you. Only your body can tell you what the right amount of food is for you, so pay close attention to these signals.
Eat more mindfully
Eating too fast or too slow habitually can have negative effects on your gut health. Even more so if you tend to eat beyond fullness. Doing so prevents your stomach from digesting food at a healthy pace.
One way to address this is to practice mindful eating. This practice means allowing yourself to fully experience and enjoy your meals. Not only does it improve your eating experience but it also enhances your digestive and overall health. Some proven techniques to achieve mindful eating include not using your smartphone or watching TV while eating.
Complement a healthy diet with CBD
If you feel full and bloated after every meal, even small ones, you may be suffering from indigestion or other gut issues. You can improve this by making healthier food choices. Your gut may also need a little help to process food more efficiently.
While there are food supplements and medications that can help, consider natural alternatives like CBD first. Verma Farms’ line of CBD oils can give your gastrointestinal system a good boost. CBD is known to aid in digestion and improves how your gut absorbs nutrients. People suffering from irritable bowel disease (IBD) can also benefit from CBD.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated helps keep your GI system functioning optimally. Common gut problems like constipation are mostly due to low fluid intake. Make it a habit to meet your fluid intake needs every day. Experts recommend taking 1.5 to 2 liters of non-caffeinated fluids.
You can also bump up your fluid intake with herbal teas and non-caffeinated drinks. You can also stay hydrated by eating foods high in water like melons, celery, cucumber, grapefruit, and tomatoes. Infusing your water with a slice of lemon may also help. Ginger-infused beverages are also known to improve gastrointestinal motility. For best results, add a few drops of Verma Farms’ unflavored CBD oil to your chosen herbal tea.
Eat gut-supporting foods
Gut inflammation is a serious concern and has been linked to several life-threatening illnesses. Unsurprisingly, it has a lot to do with your diet. Keep your GI system healthy and functioning well by limiting processed food and incorporating more of these in your diet:
Other gut-supporting nutrients include zinc and glutamine. Consider adding natural laxatives, as well, such as flax seeds, senna, psyllium, and chia seeds.
Get moving
Physical activity is strongly linked to gut health. Science suggests that people who exercise regularly tend to have healthy GI systems. While there is no specific exercise that targets gut health, it’s good to do a mix of cardio and aerobic exercises and strength training. Lateral and core exercises can also help ease bloating.
But keep in mind that too much exercise can exacerbate GI issues and symptoms of IBS. Refrain from overexerting yourself so you can enjoy the maximum benefits of exercising. The best exercises to aid digestion include yoga, cycling, walking, and pelvic floor activation.
In addition to these tips, there are many other natural ways to improve your digestive health. These include cutting down your alcohol intake, quitting smoking, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.
