Having a healthy gut flora can help you take control of your gut health. There are also “bad” ones. The most important part is that it’s okay to have levels of “bad” bacteria in your gut as long as the good bacteria are balanced. An imbalanced microbiome can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and even colon cancer risk.
There are things you can do in your daily life to ensure a healthy gut to reduce your risk of these diseases.If you’re feeling at risk or want to focus more on gut health, try starting with a morning routine. Jen Bruning, MS, RDN, LDNA spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on morning routines to support gut health.
According to Bruning, water is our primary and best source of hydration. Also, drinking water in the morning will give you a good start to the day.
“We are dehydrated when we wake up, so hydration in the morning is essential for peak performance,” Bruning says. Dehydration can cause constipation because we need water for this, and drinking water in the morning is a great way to start the day right for our gut and overall health. ”
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This is good news for coffee lovers who need a boost in the morning.
“A cup of coffee helps keep you organized,” Bruning says. “And it’s usually consumed in the morning, so it earned its place on this list!”
Bruning continues to suggest that while regular coffee has the strongest effect, it’s not just caffeine that supports digestion. “Drinking coffee may even have a positive effect on the composition of our gut microbiota.”
However, it is important to note a few points.
“Don’t drink too much coffee for gut health, but if you have a regular cup of coffee in the morning and it doesn’t have any negative effects, your gut may thank you,” says Bruning.
Additionally, the benefits of coffee are not experienced by all coffee drinkers, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket (or one cup of coffee) in hopes of gut health.
Another way to keep the juice flowing is to drink fiber.
“Some juices, such as prune juice and tomato-based juices, contain fiber,” Bruning explains. It helps you start your day with the fiber you’re missing.”
Bruning goes on to state that a mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber is the key to a healthy and healthy gut. This makes them the perfect team for a healthy gut.
“If you’re struggling to get enough fiber in your day, as so many of us are, starting your day with a fiber-containing beverage may help meet your needs. hmm,” she says.
Smoothies are a great way to get fruits you might otherwise not have throughout the day. It is also a refreshing and energetic start to the day.
“Use fiber-rich fruits like berry blends and include ground flax or chia seeds for added nutrients and fiber,” Bruning suggests. A smoothie provides a one-two intake of dietary fiber and the water necessary to exert its effect.”
Further suggestions? Add some yogurt or kefir for some gut-friendly probiotic help!
Kayla Garitano
Kayla Garritano is a staff writer for Eat This, Not That! She graduated from Hofstra University where she majored in journalism and minored in marketing and creative writing.read more