Your body is full of trillions of bacteria. Together they are referred to as microbiome. Most of the good bacteria are placed in your gut, mainly in the large intestine, and plays a large part in defending your body against dangerous bacteria and viruses. It is because of this that it is essential to have a healthy intestinal flora.
Your gut bacteria affect many different aspects of your body
It helps with digesting fiber, which is very important for your well being. Fiber helps prevent a lot of various diseases.
Helping control your immune system, it controls how your immune system works as it communicates with immune cells – and therefore it controls how your body responds to infections.
New research suggests that the bacteria in your gut could affect the central nervous system which is very important for your brain function.
The microbiome is also important for your gut health and suggests it can play a massive role in different intestinal diseases like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and other inflammatory diseases.[1] Some studies indicate that the bloating, pain and cramps that people with IBS experience, may be due to a dysfunction in the gut bacteria.[2]
So, now that you understand how important a healthy gut is, you might wonder how to improve it. It turns out there are a few things you could eat to better your intestinal health:
Eat fermented foods
There is plenty of fermented food to choose from that naturally contains a lot of microbes. Some examples are yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and tempeh.
Kombucha
Kombucha is a kind of tea that’s been fermented. It is an ancient kind of super-food that has been used for thousands of years. It is very rich in probiotics and antioxidants which will help to kill harmful bacteria and might even fight several diseases.
Eat high-fiber vegetables
Some vegetables contain a prebiotic fiber called inulin. Some examples are artichoke, leeks, onion, and garlic.[3]
Don’t be too obsessed about your hygiene
Everyone should, of course, keep good health, however, exaggerating and keep too clean might not be suitable for your gut bacteria.
Avoid snacking and do an occasional fast
It seems like if you have longer intervals between meals, you’re doing yourself a favor as it gives your microbes a rest. A good idea is to do occasional fasting from time to time as well.
Source: Science Focus
(1) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health
(2) https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/microbiome/
(3) https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-to-boost-your-microbiome/