The gut is not just responsible for digestion and nutrient absorption but also for maintaining a healthy immune system. It is also regarded as your body's second brain that maintains its overall health and produces hormones that help balance your stress levels and enhance your mood. That is why gut health holds the utmost significance.
Various factors can take a toll on your gut health which includes poor diet, stress, excessive use of antibiotics, skipping meals, disturbed sleep, sugar consumption, not drinking enough water, too much caffeine, and chronic illness.
This blog will talk about gut cleansing, what it is, and the best ways to make that happen naturally. So let us get started.
What is Gut Cleanse?
Gut cleansing, also called colon cleansing, removes toxins and unwanted substances from your gut. It is a very beneficial way of resolving digestive issues like bloating,gas, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and weight related issues. Gut cleanse ensures the removal of toxins and promotes the optimum absorption of nutrients.
What are the signs of an unhealthy gut?
Gut cleansing is not only for people with stomach and gastrointestinal issues but also those with health issues like - depression, allergy, sugar cravings, fatigue, headache, joint pain, etc. Here are some common symptoms:
1. Mood Swings and Depression –
When your gut is not functioning correctly, it gets difficult for your body to produce tryptophan. It is an amino acid essential for the production of serotonin, the hormone that keeps us happy. An imbalanced gut is directly related to mood swings, stress, and depression.
2. Constipation, Diarrhoea, Bloating –
Poor digestion is one of the major symptoms. These stomach issues clearly indicate that your gut has an imbalance of healthy bacteria and needs attention and care.
3. Intense Sweet Cravings –
Increased sugar consumption can increase the production of bad bacteria in the gut. It can also lead to inflammation throughout the body, increasing the risk of several diseases or health issues.
4. Irregular Bowel Movements -
Imbalanced Gut or Gut Dysbiosis can affect stool consistency and frequency.
5. Frequently Falling Sick -
70% of our immune system is in out gut. Poor Gut health can affect your immunity and make you more susceptible to infections. If you are falling sick often, especially during seasonal change, it is time to take your gut health into consideration.
Who Needs A Gut Cleanse?
Almost all of us ! Every once in a while need to rest and reset our gut inorder to boost digestive power and immunity. Now that you know the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut , if you notice any of those then you definitely need a gut cleanse as soon as possible.
It is best to consult an expert and get advice on how to cleanse your gut naturally with gut cleansing foods like probiotics, alkalising greens and fluids.
How To Cleanse Your Gut Naturally?
-Stay Hydrated
Pick any detox plan, the first thing you will notice in it will be water. Water is an essential factor that can do a lot for your digestion. It is vital for the stomach and the entire body to function. During the gut cleanse or detox journey, avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol and replace it with plenty of water to replenish the electrolytes.
Warm water is excellent for cleansing the stomach as it boosts the metabolism and clears the toxins off the body. It is a perfect way of stomach cleansing and effective for treating stomach cramps.
-Reduce Salt Intake
Excessive consumption of salty food increases the sodium content in our diet leads to gut dysbiosis,as it alters gut microbial composition, richness, and diversity. High dietary sodium also induces inflammation via excess production of inflammatory cytokines that can directly increase blood pressure (BP).
-Eat more Alkaline Foods
Alkaline foods like green leafy vegetables and fruits help maintain the pH balance in the body. Consuming daily greens may help eliminate toxins, aid digestion, improves your immune system and boosts your energy levels. It also helps reduces the inflammation and enhance nutrient absorption.
-Consume a Fibre Rich Diet
Fiber is an essential macronutrient and plays a significant role in maintaining good stomach health and digestion. It is the number one solution for most gut-related problems. Supplying your body with the right amount of probiotics and prebiotics will ensure yo ur gut stays healthy, cleanses properly, and functions in the right way.
Fiber is found in whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, and more. Fruits are the best fiber-rich foods because they are also full of antioxidants and taste delicious. Prebiotic foods are also fibrous foods consisting of good bacteria that help your gut stay healthy and grow stronger. The naturally occuring fiber in foods helps bulk up the stools, therefore helping your body deal with constipation and diarrhea and boosting the production of healthy bacteria in the gut.
-Add Probiotics to Your Diet
Another simple and natural way of cleansing your gut is adding probiotics to your diet. You can opt for fermented foods rich in probiotic like yogurt, pickles, kimchi, etc. Probiotics retards the growth of bad bacteria and promotes the growth of good bacteria. This help prevent inflammation, indigestion, sugar craving, enhance nutrient absorption and also immunity.
You can also opt for probiotics supplements are great for gut cleansing, supporting healthy gut bacteria, and relieving digestive discomfort.
with naturally occurring digestive enzymes to get overall digestive benefits.
Wrapping Up
Maintaining a healthy gut and digestive system is essential for a healthy immune system and the overall health of your body. A Gut cleanse can help reset your gut and help it function optimally. With these simple dietary and lifestyle changes you can take complete care of your gut in the natural and best possible way.
References
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Masrul M, Nindrea RD. Dietary Fibre Protective against Colorectal Cancer Patients in Asia: A Meta-Analysis. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019 May 30;7(10):1723-1727. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.265. PMID: 31210830; PMCID: PMC6560290. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6560290/
Shahrokhi M, Nagalli S. Probiotics. [Updated 2022 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553134/
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