Importance of Healthy Digestive System

It is often said that both health and disease begin in the gut. A lot of importance is being given to gut health these days, and rightly so. Gut health or Healthy digestive system is being abundantly researched these days, only to realise its immense importance in health and disease etiology.

Before we jump into the more complex researched facts about the importance of gut health, let us understand the basics first.

What is digestion and why is it important? Digestion is the process by which the food we eat is broken down into smaller particles that are easy to absorb and assimilate in the body. The body breaks down the food consumed into the simplest forms of carbohydrates, protein, and fat to be utilised for numerous vital functions in the body.

Importance of a Healthy Digestive System 

Let us now understand the importance of a healthy digestive system.

1.    Boosting Immunity : Our digestive system is home to millions of beneficial microorganisms that play an important role in immunity. This microbiota aids in signaling our immune system to carry out its functions of increasing the activity of macrophages and the production of immunoglobulins. It also helps in regulating anti-inflammatory responses and fighting pathogens, boosting the immune system and protecting the body from all kinds of infectious pathogens and viruses.

2.     Disease prevention : It is now being said that the environment of the digestive system has a direct impact on the development of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Consuming a diet that is rich in pre and probiotics helps in improving the healthy and beneficial microorganisms that can prevent development of these diseases.

3.    Mental health and mood disorders : The human body’s digestive system is so advanced that it is also called the ‘second brain’. This is because, after the central nervous system, the gut has most nerves and nerve endings that are connected to various parts of the body. Given the importance of gut health, it's no surprise that good gut health is closely linked to good mental health, highlighting the significance of prioritizing digestive wellbeing. Research states that supplementation with prebiotics and probiotics helps in reducing symptoms of certain disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

4.    Obesity : In recent times, a lot of importance has been given to gut health and its implications on obesity and metabolic syndrome. It is believed that a diet that is rich in fiber and probiotics helps in improving the gut flora, which in turn helps regulate weight via the gut-brain axis.

5.    Elimination of Toxins : A healthy digestive system is involved in improving immunity, it helps in the elimination of toxins and other unwanted substances from the body. Consuming a diet that is rich in pre and probiotics helps in this essential everyday cleanse

6. Absorption of nutrients : A healthy digestive system renders a well-rounded sound health. This is because it makes the nutrients like vitamins, proteins, and minerals more bioavailable to the body by increasing their absorption and assimilation.

Apart from the above mentioned benefits of a healthy digestive system health, some of the other benefits include regularising bowel movements, reducing bloating and acidity, and increasing energy levels and stamina

Having said this, let us know more about what pre and probiotics are and what is all the noise about.

Probiotics are strains of living microorganisms, which when consumed in adequate amounts provide health benefits to the human body. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are a non-digestible component of food that is required to stimulate the growth of these beneficial microorganisms. Simply put, prebiotics can be called ‘food’ for probiotics.

Presenting one such supplement, Wellbeing Nutrition’s  Healthy Gut Melts is created using bioactive and natural ingredients that boost gut health in all possible ways. Embodying the unison effect and an all-natural formula with bioactive ingredients that work in absolute synergy to nourish the gut and support a healthy digestive system, these 100 percent organic, non-GMO, GMP-certified, oral thin strips will boost your but health and relieve it from any possible gastrointestinal discomfort

You can also try Wellbeing Nutrition’s Apple Cider Vinegar with 2x the mother that helps in improving digestion, boosting metabolism and enhancing immunity. Also, check our Pre and Probiotics effervescent tablets, which are designed for a healthier gut.

Isn’t it amazing to know that our gut has a brain of its own by which it commands and carries out all its functions smoothly? This is also one of the most important reasons why gut health is talked about at length and considered very essential. To avail all the benefits of good gut health, one must include a variety of foods that are rich in fiber like whole grains, millets, fruits, vegetables, and nuts; along with cutting down the consumption of processed and packaged foods.

References :

1. Your Digestive System & How it Works, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,  (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works)
2. Shreiner AB, Kao JY, Young VB. The gut microbiome in health and in disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2015;31(1):69-75. doi:10.1097/MOG.0000000000000139, (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4290017/)
3. Hills RD Jr, Pontefract BA, Mishcon HR, Black CA, Sutton SC, Theberge CR. Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease. Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1613. Published 2019 Jul 16. doi:10.3390/nu11071613. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682904/)
4. Markowiak P, Śliżewska K. Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Human Health. Nutrients. 2017;9(9):1021. Published 2017 Sep 15. doi:10.3390/nu9091021. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622781/)
5. Ochoa-Repáraz J, Kasper LH. The Second Brain: Is the Gut Microbiota a Link Between Obesity and Central Nervous System Disorders?. Curr Obes Rep. 2016;5(1):51-64. doi:10.1007/s13679-016-0191-1. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4798912/)