7 Everyday Foods That Harm Your Gut Health
Recognized as the second brain of the human body, the intestine is considered vital to the well-being of a person in general. A healthy gut helps with food digestion, nutrient absorption, and activates immunity.
However, certain staple foods can potentially worsen the condition of the gut in the long term. These foods may cause intestinal disorders, reduce beneficial bacteria, and even affect energy and mood. Here are the seven common foods you are eating that may damage your intestinal system, and what better options to make regarding your intestinal health.
1. Sugar-Rich Foods – Sweet but Harmful
Most individuals consume a lot of sugar. It is present in soft beverages, candy, cake, and even in the sauce. Although it might be good, sugar can kill gut health by sustaining bad bacteria and yeast. That leads to the disequilibrium of the microbiome that founds healthy digestion in the gut.
Too much consumption of sugar can also cause an inflammatory condition in the intestine that can produce pain and including bloating and gas pains. It is also preferable to eat some naturally sweetened products moderately, like high-quality honey or stevia, or to grab fresh fruits, because both of these options are excellent in terms of ensuring the preservation of the health of the gut.
2. Fried Foods – Heavy on Digestion
Chips, pakoras, fried nuts, fries, and other fried foods taste good, but this is not what the gut needs. Unhealthy fats present in fried food are hard to digest by the stomach. This may cause slowing down of the digestion process, heartburn, bloating, and even ulcers in the stomach in the long run.
It is advisable to adopt healthier means of cooking by baking, grilling, or steaming our food to serve the gut better. You may opt to have roasted nuts or baked snacks.
3. Gut Unfriendly Artificial Sweeteners
There is a lot of food containing fake sweets, such as diet soda, sugar-free gum, and light snacks containing aspartame in diet soda, sucralose, and saccharin.
A fair trade would be to use actual sweeteners such as honey, dates, and maple syrup. They are better for your stomach and contain more good stuff.
4. Refined Flour- Devoid of Fiber
White bread, pasta, and baked goods contain refined flour, which lacks fiber and vital nutrients. Fiber is all about good gut work because it transports food along the gut and feeds good bugs. The available fiber is minimal, and this delays the working process in the gut, resulting in hard bowels and other gut complications.
Replacing with whole grains like brown bread, whole wheat pasta, or oats will not only help with fiber, but will also help with gut health. Whole grains also have essential vitamins and bits that will keep you fit.
5. Dairy – Can Cause Digestive Discomfort
Milk, cheese, and cream are found in many dishes, but may cause stomach trouble in certain individuals. A group of individuals is not able to digest lactose, a sugar in milk, due to lactose intolerance. This can make them bloated and experience gas and runny stools.
You can use lactose-free milk, almond milk, or coconut milk instead of dairy products. Yogurt and kefir are also foods with high probiotics and therefore are included in fine swaps. They have good bugs that keep the gut in good condition.
6. Red Meat – Hard to Digest
Beef, mutton, and pork are red meats that may be difficult to consume. It digests slowly in the tummy and may become acidic. Red meat also has a lot of fat that can retard the digestive system and bring about tummy pains.
To have a healthy stomach, it would be prudent to reduce intake of red meat and replace it with lighter meat such as fish and chicken or vegetable food such as beans, lentils, and tofu.
7. Packaged and Processed Foods – Full of Chemicals
Although it may be a tempting idea to have packaged snacks, instant noodles, and ready-to-eat meals, they are full of salt, preservatives, and unhealthy fats. These are some chemicals that alter the balance of intestinal bacteria and cause a decline in digestive power. Processed foods do not have the nutrients and fibers the body requires to have good gut activity.
Mostly, to improve gut health, it is recommended that you turn to whole fresh foods (including fruits, vegetables, and homemade dishes). Preparing food at home allows preparing it with the use of natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals.
Final Thoughts: Small Changes for Better Gut Health
The well-being of a person is directly associated with the well-being of the gut. A good gut provides more efficient digestion, a strong immune system, and even a better mood. Gut health can be improved by slight alterations, i.e. decrease in sugar, fried food, and substitution of whole grains.
When picking foods, it is always advisable to take natural and uncooked foods rather than packaged foods. Quite a lot of fiber, fruit, vegetables, and probiotics may be added to daily meals, and it may contribute greatly to digestive health.
Disclaimer:
This post is written to create awareness as well as provide general information. It is not a replacement for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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