Not long ago, I wrote an article on 3 things that can cause an imbalance in your gut bacteria. And many of you were shocked at how common things–like tap water and antibiotics–can really wreak havoc on your digestive tract.
If you haven’t had a chance to read the article yet, you can find it here.
Sometimes, you simply can’t avoid ingesting foods and medications that cause imbalances.
So today, I thought I’d provide information on 3 foods that you can eat in order to maintain a healthy balance in your gut.
Add the following foods to your next grocery shopping list…
Gut Balancing Food #1 – Jerusalem Artichokes
The Jerusalem artichoke–also known as a sunroot, sunchoke, or earth apple–is a species of sunflower that is native to eastern North America.
It belongs to the root vegetable family.
Jerusalem artichokes are great for digestive health because they are one of the richest sources of inulin. Inulin is a natural substance that functions as a prebiotic during digestion.
Because it’s a prebiotic, it is able to help stimulate healthy bacteria growth while also reducing the number of potentially harmful yeast, parasites, and bacterial species that live in the digestive tract.
Jerusalem artichoke can be prepared just like you’d cook a potato. Simply roast, boil, saute, bake, or steam them, add some of your favorite seasoning, and enjoy.
Gut Balancing Food #2 – Blueberries
Blueberries are a popular fruit that is regularly enjoyed in pies, as a topping for yogurt, in cereal, by themselves as a quick snack, and so many other times.
Blueberries are often known for their high concentration of antioxidants among many other purple foods and berries.
But, what you might not know is that the antioxidants contained in blueberries are great at regulating the gut’s microbial balance.
When blueberries are eaten alongside other probiotic-rich foods, they are able to help reduce inflammation-inducing bacteria while increasing good gut bacteria.
Gut Balancing Food #3 – Fermented Foods
Fermented foods are foods that undergo a process that converts carbohydrates to alcohol or organic acids using microorganisms (most often yeasts or bacteria).
Some of the most common fermented foods that you might be aware of include…
- Fermented cabbage
- Kefir
- Yogurt
- Buttermilk
- Kapusta
Fermented foods are great for the gut system because they are rich in lactic acid–producing bacteria. Lactic acid–producing bacteria are very common in probiotic supplements.
The lactic acid is key for producing bacteria that help balance the digestive tract, which creates an environment that’s conducive to the growth of healthy gut bacteria.
Looking for more information on how to restore and heal your gut? Check out this post on 3 reasons to add probiotics to your daily routine.
