You eat well, so your gut must be healthy, right?  Not quite.  A healthy diet doesn’t always mean a healthy gut.  And a healthy gut is essential for your body to function properly, which is why we’ve put together this guide to gut health.

What is your gut?

Your gut starts at your mouth and includes your gastrointestinal tract, stomach and intestines and is where your food is digested and absorbed by your body.

To help it to digest and absorb food, your gut contains trillions of micro-organisms.  This includes over 1,000 species of bacteria, fungi and viruses, also known as the gut flora or microbiota. This microbiota is responsible for breaking down fibre and producing vitamin K, and relies upon the food we eat in order to function properly. 

How does Microbiota keep us healthy?

A well functioning, well-nourished microbiota will absorb more goodness from your food, which in turn will help to boost your immunity and regulate your digestion, as well as having a positive impact upon your mood and mental health.  Plus, if your microbiota is healthy, you’ll get more energy from the foods you eat and your appetite will be regulated.

Why is having a healthy gut important?

Gut health is essential to your overall health and well being.  An unhealthy microbiota will lead to inflammation within the gut and can contribute to a host of health issues from allergies to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. An unhealthy gut has also been linked to a range of mental health problems including depression and schizophrenia.

Can probiotics help to boost gut health?

Probiotics, live bacteria that are found in supplements and certain foods, can help to boost gut health by reducing the number of harmful bacteria and providing new live bacteria.  Fermented foods are a great source of live bacteria such as yoghurt with live cultures, miso and sauerkraut.

How can you improve your gut health?

There are a number of ways you can improve your gut health.  Eat a diet that is high in fibre rich foods, including vegetables and whole grains, and be sure to replenish the good bacteria in your gut by consuming foods that contain probiotics.  Lastly, try to limit alcohol intake and drink more water.

Here at That Hippie Co., we love our guts. We want you to love yours as well. So it’s important to ensure you are taking great care of it by balancing it out with good bacteria and good food.

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