Back in school, we thought our digestive system was just one long tube to help our food pass through our body. However, our gut serves more than this. Your gut, otherwise known as your digestive system, plays an integral role to keep you healthy. It functions to digest the food you eat, absorb nutrients and fuels your body. It also plays a big role in maintaining good mental health, building immunity and keeping us in an overall good mood. It therefore becomes important to take good care of your gut and keep it healthy.


HERE ARE 5 WAYS TO RESTORE GUT HEALTH


INCLUDE FIBRE AND PROBIOTICS IN YOUR DIET

Fibre, a plant-based nutrient found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, stimulates the growth of good bacteria. Yogurt can also help calm gut related conditions like diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease and constipation. A study showed that those who consume yogurt regularly have more gutbenefitting bacteria and fewer bacteria linked with inflammation.

EXERCISE OFTEN

Movement is medicine for so many parts of the human body, including our gut. Researchers have found that exercise promotes an increase of healthy bacteria and longer workouts as well as highintensity aerobic training, contribute to gut bacteria diversity and function in relation to overall wellness. All it takes is just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Not getting enough sleep is linked to a higher prevalence of obesity, which sets you up for digestive system disorders. All it takes is 7-9 hours of uninterrupted quality sleep per night to maintain a healthy gut.

REDUCE STRESS

Stress isn't just mental. Mental health and the gut are intimately connected and research suggests that anxiety and depression are affected by the gut and vice versa. Finding ways to manage your mental health and stress levels may help reduce uncomfortable gut symptoms and get your body back in balance.

STAY HYDRATED

Drinking plenty of water has been shown to be beneficial for the mucosal lining of the intestines and the balance of good bacteria in the gut. An easy calculation on how much you should drink a day is drinking at least 1 litre of water for every 25kg you weigh. As I weigh 85kg, I should drink 3 - 3.5 litres of water a day.


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