Gut Health | Having an unhealthy gut can sometimes prevent you from losing weight, and can even trigger further bloatation and obesity.
Each one of us has a unique bacterial population known as a microbiome, which is comprised of billions of both good and bad bacteria. Recent medical studies have shown that the state of our microbiomes’ health can impact whether or not we go on to develop health conditions such as Crohn’s disease, colitis, allergies, obesity, and even psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.
There are a number of factors that can cause you to have an unhealthy gut, or gastrointestinal tract, such as a diet high in sugar, excessive alcohol consumption, and even certain prescription medications. Over time, poor gut health can even hinder your body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients from the foods you eat, which can lead to worsened overall health.
If you’ve been working hard to lose weight and still find that you’re failing to drop those unwanted pounds, it’s possible you may need to kill off your bad gut bacteria and improve your gut health. Here are seven foods you can eat more of that will help balance your level of good versus bad gut bacteria.
1. Sauerkraut
Most fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, are rich in the type of healthy, living bacteria (also known as probiotics) that can improve the state of your microbiome. Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage and is best in quality when freshly made. Look for refrigerated sauerkraut, and not those that are canned, which have little to no remaining healthy bacteria as a result of the pasteurization process.
2. Kimchi
Traditional Korean kimchi is comprised mainly of spicy fermented cabbage, and some mixes contain radishes, cucumbers, scallions, and other vegetables and spices that have been shown to improve and maintain good gut health. Eat kimchi plain, or serve with rice and chicken.
3. Garlic
Eating fresh garlic can help promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Consult with your doctor or bariatric surgeon prior to consuming garlic, since those with irritable bowel syndrome may have difficulty with digesting garlic since it is high in fructans.
4. Kombucha
Kombucha is a type of black tea that has been fermented with a mixture of good bacteria. In addition to improving gut health, kombucha is also a source of antioxidants that can help ward off inflammation and contribute to weight loss.
