Did you know that a good place to start in improving your overall well-being is to address your gut health…
A healthy gut promotes good digestive health of course, but it also affects our immune system, skin, skeletal system and even brain function.
Our digestive systems are inhabited by trillions of microorganisms - the gut microbiome. So what exactly does the gut microbiome do?
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Your beneficial ‘good bacteria’ compete with harmful, pathogenic bacteria. The stronger the microbiota is, the lower the risk of gut infections.
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Gut bacteria help to make a selection of important nutrients, including vitamins K2, B12, folate, and thiamine.
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Gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids that are required for energy metabolism and help to promote the development of a robust immune system.
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Gut microbes help maintain the integrity of the gut lining.
So how can you best support your microbiome? Here are some of our top tips:
1. Eat fermented foods
Fermented foods introduce probiotics to your digestive system. Kimchi and sauerkraut are easy, delicious ways to add probiotics to your diet. Shop our store for The Cultured Collective's Kimchi and Sauerkraut.
2. Up your fibre intake
Fibre feeds beneficial microbes in the large intestine. Most of us don’t get nearly enough. Up your intake of beans, lentils and opt for green bananas next time you’re at the supermarket.
3. Get adequate sleep
Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night.
4. Exercise!
Research shows that physical activity modulates the gut microbiota, enriching the number of beneficial microbes and increasing microbial diversity.