Did you know, more than 80% of the body’s immunity is in the gut? Both good and bad bacteria are naturally present in our gut; while the good ones obviously aid in digestion, the bad bacteria can cause diseases. An unhealthy gut can have a negative impact on overall health, especially our skin.
Several things such as stress, foods high in sugar, antibiotics, etc. are responsible for damaging the microbiomes in our gut. But bringing about a few changes in your lifestyle and diet can improve your gut health drastically to give you clear and glowing skin. Here’s how you can improve your gut health…
Eat slowly
Taking small morsels of food, chewing it slowly and then eating it can aid in better digestion and absorptions of nutrients. It reduces the chances of bloating, heartburn, acidity and other issues related to the digestive tract and results in a healthy gut.
Drink enough water
One of the simplest ways to promote a healthy gut is by drinking enough water throughout the day. Staying hydrated has a good effect on the mucosal lining of the intestines and helps keep the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
Eat foods that improve gut health
Other than cutting down on processed and oily food, including certain foods in your diet can also contribute to improved gut health. Onion and garlic have immune-system enhancing properties and can promote the growth of good bacteria. Bananas, oats, legumes, peas, berries and other fibre-rich foods have shown to have a positive impact. Yoghurt, pickle, miso and other fermented foods are a good source of probiotics and should be included in your diet.
Manage stress
The human gut is quite complex and high levels of stress can be particularly hard on the gut. Therefore, it is important to engage in activities that help lower stress levels. Take a walk in the park, meditate, spend times with loved ones, petting an animal, getting a massage, etc.
Get enough sleep
Not getting sufficient amount of sleep can impact your gut health in a negative way and lead to more sleep-related issues. Therefore, if healthy gut and clear skin are your goals, get seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.
Written by Sanya Hamdani on Apr 28, 2020