Did you know that the hashtags #Guttok, #guthealth, #gutremedies, and #guthealing have received over 500 million views on Tik Tok due to the prevalence of gut troubles?
However, this should not be surprising given how nutrient-poor the majority of the foods we consume are. Nowadays, many people have chronically low levels of gut-friendly substrates like probiotics and nutritious carbs because fast and processed meals are more widely available.
This can leave one with frequent stomach discomfort, gas, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and everyone’s “favourite” bloated tummies. The good news is that gut health is something you can work on and restore in 2023! If you’re serious about fixing your gut health this year, here are four natural ways that will help make your gut troubles a thing of the past.
Focus on whole foods
The modern lifestyle steers us conveniently towards drive-throughs and vending machines—don’t worry, we get it! Although a cheeky double cheeseburger tastes delicious and hits the spot, processed foods, sugar, refined flour, and oils can all cause havoc on your digestive system. Not only that, but processed foods typically upset the delicate balance of microorganisms in your stomach.
Even when you’re short on time, make an effort to choose natural meals and whole foods over processed ones. Avoiding processed foods will improve your health, save you money, and, most importantly, leave your gut feeling better. Note: Whole foods are foods that have been processed or refined as little as possible and are free from additives or other artificial substances. These foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains (such as oats, brown rice, and barley), nuts, beans, fish, shellfish, and eggs, to name a few.
Load up on prebiotic fibres
Prebiotic fibres contribute to a digestive environment that is ideal for the growth of healthy bacteria found naturally in your gut. Not only does prebiotic fibre strengthen and promote good bacteria, it also helps to suppress bad bacteria, creating an optimal environment for good digestive health.
Foods rich in prebiotic fibre include the following:
- Bananas
- Oats
- Nuts and seeds
- Honey
- Soybeans
- Leeks
- Onions
- Garlic
- Jerusalem Artichokes
Fruits such as blueberries, cherries, and apples also contain good prebiotics and can be easily snacked on or sprinkled in some wholesome breakfast meals.
Healing Herbs & Spices
Across the globe, there are hundreds of herbs and spices that are loved and used to support gastrointestinal health. One of those spices is turmeric. Asian countries such as India and China have historically relied on turmeric to treat conditions such as poor digestion, abdominal pain, and bloating. And now, western countries are also recognising the power of herbs and spices to address an array of health conditions.
Turmeric doesn’t have to be limited to just curries and stews. The powder and fresh root can be added to many smoothies, lattes, and baked goods.
Our favourite way to include turmeric in our daily routine is through a morning turmeric shot. Simply place 1/4 teaspoon of Golden Turmeric’s traditional paste in a cup and fill with water to make your own powerhouse morning shot.
Turmeric Golden Paste for People is a specially formulated turmeric supplement for better body absorption and retention. Made with quality ingredients sourced from New Zealand, this paste offers many additional health benefits. Reducing inflammation and restoring gut flora has never been so easy.
Learn more about Turmeric Golden Paste for people here.
Learn Yoga
Incorporating yoga asanas into your fitness routine can have a positive impact on your overall digestion and gut health. Studies have shown that yoga poses help to stretch your muscles, massage the internal organs, and stimulate the digestive system. Invest in learning about and adding yoga to your daily routine. There are thousands of free online videos to explore and helpful blog articles that will teach you the art of yoga.
This sequence from Yogajournal.com combines stretches and twists that target abdominal organs to relieve a wide range of digestive discomforts. Try these poses.