Gut health has become a hot topic over the last few years, as many people are beginning to realize just how important it is and how much better they feel when they maintain it.

Your gut contains a microbiome made up of trillions of bacteria. The beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, play a crucial role in digestion and nutrient absorption. When your probiotics become unbalanced and overwhelmed by “bad” bacteria, it can have an effect not only on your digestive health but also on your weight, mood, energy levels, and overall health.

Here are some tips to help you fight bad gut bacteria and keep your probiotics happy and healthy.

Cut down on sugar and artificial sweeteners

Sugar sends the bad bacteria in your gut into a feeding frenzy, allowing it to proliferate and overrun your beneficial bacteria. Watching your sugar intake and limiting the amount of processed foods you eat can quickly help your probiotics make a resurgence. However, it’s important not to simply replace your sugar with artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners have also been found to hurt good bacteria and to have a negative effect on both blood sugar levels and insulin response.

Eat more fibre-rich foods

Another important diet change for improving gut health is to increase your intake of foods that are high in fibre. As fibre must be digested and broken down by probiotics, it encourages the growth of a healthy microbiome. Fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains are among the best sources of dietary fibre. Some high-fibre foods that you may want to start incorporating into your diet are lentils, broccoli, chickpeas, raspberries, artichokes, and green peas.

Eat more fermented foods

Just like fibre-rich foods, fermented foods are great for your gut health because they encourage the activity of your beneficial gut bacteria. They contain compounds that are resistant to stomach acid and pass through further into the gut. Some examples of fermented foods that can help improve your gut health include sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, kefir, and tempeh.

– Keep hydrated

Hydration is important for the proper functioning of all of the systems in your body, your digestive system included. In your gut, water plays a key role in moving bacteria and waste along, helping to prevent problems such as bloating and constipation. Improper hydration can also lead to bowel inflammation. Do yourself a favour and make sure you’re getting enough to drink every day.

Eat a wide variety of foods

The gut is home to hundreds of different types of bacteria, each with its own unique job. The more diverse your microbiome is, the healthier it will generally be as well. In order to introduce diverse bacteria into your gut, you need to eat a varied diet consisting of different types of food. Not only is trying new foods a lot of fun, but it turns out that it’s great for your health as well!

Cut down on stress

The gut is so sensitive to your thoughts and feelings that it is sometimes referred to as your “second brain.” Feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression can actually have a negative impact on your microbiome. An unbalanced microbiome can, in turn, negatively impact your mental and emotional health as well. Taking a few steps to cut down on the stress in your life will help to remove some of the stress on your gut as well.

A healthy gut is one of the key components of cultivating a healthy body and mind. By giving some thought to what you’re eating, drinking, and thinking, you’ll be able to keep your probiotics happy and your gut functioning optimally.