The bacteria in your gut are incredibly important for your health and weight. Here are 5 ways to improve your gut bacteria naturally!
Have you ever experienced “butterflies in your stomach”, or do you feel nauseous when you're anxious?
We tend to use these expressions because our gastrointestinal tract is actually sensitive to our emotions. We also tend to believe that our emotions are controlled by our brain, but another source may actually affect how we feel, without us even knowing it.
We're talking about our intestines, an organ that’s the natural habitat to trillions of microorganisms and contains a network of neurons just like our brains. This is why many researchers refer to our intestines as “the second brain.”
Our intestines are tied to our brain not just physically, but also biochemically, which is why many recent studies have been associating this organ with our digestion, mood, health, and the general way in which we think. It's really quite impressive.
For example, a large part of the serotonin, a neurotransmitter that acts in our brain and regulates our mood, sleep, and even appetite is produced mainly in our intestines. Other neurotransmitters which control our feelings and emotions are also produced in our intestines by the bacteria that live there.
Furthermore, these bacteria produce other chemicals that may affect the way that your brain works, and even your weight.
Now that you know how important your intestines are, not only for your well-being but also for your general health, we're going to show you a few tips that may improve their functioning.
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Have you ever experienced butterflies in your stomach?
Or do you feel nauseous when you're anxious?
We tend to use these expressions because our gastrointestinal tract is actually sensitive
to our emotions.
We also tend to believe that our emotions are controlled by our brain.
But another source may actually affect how we feel, without us even knowing it.
We're talking about our intestines, an organ that's the natural habitat to trillions of
microorganisms and contains a network of neurons, just like our brains.
This is why many researchers refer to our intestines as the second brain.
Our intestines are tied to our brain, not just physically, but also biochemically, which
is why many recent studies have been associating this organ with our digestion, mood, health,
and the general way in which we think.
It's really quite impressive.
For example, a large part of the serotonin, a neurotransmitter that acts in our brain
and regulates our mood, sleep, and even appetite, is produced, mainly, in our intestines.
Other neurotransmitters, which control our feelings and emotions, are also produced in
our intestines by the bacteria that live there.
Furthermore, these bacteria produce other chemicals that may affect the way that your
brain works, and even your weight.
Now that you know how important your intestines are, not only for your well-being, but also
for your general health, we're going to show you a few tips that may improve their functioning.
1.
Care for your intestines Eating probiotic foods, such as kefir, sauerkraut,
kombucha, and yogurt, will guarantee that your body receives the correct amount of bacteria
that your intestines need.
Prebiotic foods are also great for your intestines, since they serve as nourishment for the bacteria.
Bananas, beans, onions, pears, and even garlic contain the correct type of fiber to feed
them.
2.
Avoid gluten The phrase, you are what you eat, is very
truthful, especially when it comes to your intestinal health.
Studies have shown that gluten-free diets have a positive impact on the good bacteria
in your intestines, especially in people that are sensitive to this protein.
3.
Increase your magnesium intake Magnesium is an important mineral for our
bodies, especially for our digestive health.
Not only is it necessary to produce digestive enzymes, but it also helps relax our muscles,
improving our bowel movements.
You can find this mineral in foods such as pumpkin seeds, almonds, avocado, dark chocolate,
and bananas.
4.
A good night's sleep A study performed in Switzerland proved that
two restless nights in a row are already enough to reduce your intestines' good bacteria by
up to 50%.
Not sleeping enough may affect not only your digestion, but also your immune system, and
even your mood.
This is why you should always try to sleep at least 8 hours a night.
5.
Increase your melatonin levels Melatonin is released by a small gland that
regulates your sleep cycles.
When your body doesn't have enough of this hormone, the permeability of your intestines
may increase.
A condition called leaky gut syndrome.
Some foods that stimulate melatonin production are propolis, avocado, cherry, grapes, tomato,
barley, and pineapple.
