7 Best Foods For Good Gut Health, According To Nutritionists

by John Griffith
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The gut is responsible for many of the body’s normal functions. The gut helps our skin stay spotless, soft and smooth. It helps to keep our immune system strong, and it also helps keep our metabolism and hormones in check. Well, that is if it is functioning normally. To ensure our gut is healthy and doing its job, we need to properly fuel it. To do so you need to know the best foods for good gut health.

The gut is responsible for many of the body’s normal functions

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Best Foods For Good Gut Health

We’ve talked a lot about how good probiotic foods are for gut health, however today we will be focusing mainly on prebiotics. But what is the difference between the two. Probiotics boost the production and variety of good bacteria in your colon in order to help digestion and general health. When it comes to prebiotics, these are non-digestible foods that help to stimulate activity and growth of good bacteria in your intestines. They provide the food for probiotics to thrive and do their job. So, essentially you can’t have one without the other. Here are some prebiotic foods for good gut health.

You need pro- and prebiotic foods for proper gut health

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#Bulgur

This yummy grain is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. This food is a resistant starch which act as a prebiotic and promotes the good bacteria in the gut. Bulgur is a great alternative to many grains such as rice or quinoa. It’s higher in fiber and lower in carbs! It doesn’t take long to cook and can be easily added to dishes, as a side dish or a grain to salads.

This yummy grain is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine

foods for good gut health how to make bulgur wheat bulgur in a bowl

#Pears

Pears are a nutrient-dense fruit. They are really high in vitamin C, vitamin K and antioxidants. This means pears are great for keeping a strong immune system, good heart health and gut health. They have a high fiber content making them a good choice, as they can keep you full, help your bowels move regularly and keep a good microbe level in the gut.

Pears are a nutrient-dense fruit

foods for good gut health pears in different containers

#Banana

If you are looking how to eat gut friendly foods on a budget, bananas are the way to go. Bananas are packed with a type of fiber that contains inulin. Inulin is a type of prebiotic that helps to feed the good bacteria in the gut. Adding banana’s to your diet can help relieve symptoms of constipation or diarrhea. In general bananas are an easy, cheap way to add more prebiotic foods to your diet.

Bananas are packed with a type of fiber that contains inulin

peeled banana halfway on pink background

#Watermelon

This summer fruit is amazing! It’s super versatile, and it’s naturally high in prebiotics. Not only that, but just like bell peppers and pears, it’s also high in vitamin C! Watermelon is also packed with antioxidants that can fight off inflammation, builds collagen and helps with iron absorption. It’s an easy food to incorporate into your diet. It’s a great snack (for your dog too!) on its own or add it to salads.

Watermelon is also packed with antioxidants

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#Berries

We love berries! Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, you name ’em! Berries are one of the best foods you can add to your diet, if you want to keep your gut health in check and consume plenty of antioxidants. They can help to reduce inflammation, contain disease-fighting properties and are just plain delicious. Berries are a great prebiotic food, as they are also high in vitamin C which helps to improve the gut barrier.

Berries are one of the best foods you can add to your diet

strawberry blueberry and berries in a bowl

#Ginger

Ginger is a health superfood. It’s famous for its ability to relieve upset stomachs and help with digestion issues such as nausea. Thanks to a compound called gingerol, which has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, your gut will be feeling better than ever. There are plenty of ways you can start adding ginger to your diet. Make some tea or add some slices to your water. You can also add it in stirfry.

Thanks to a compound called gingerol your gut will be feeling better than ever

ginger root cut half way in slices

#Roquefort Cheese

This one is for the cheese lovers. This French live, smelly and runny cheese will help give your gut bacteria a good boost. However, this is only when consumed in moderation. You can enjoy it on toast or in salads.

This one is for the cheese lovers

foods for good gut health roquefort blue cheese sliced

These were the best foods for good gut health. We hope you found this article helpful. Now you can start to slowly add more pre- and probiotic foods to your diet. You’ll be enjoying a healthy gut and plenty of other benefits.

Now you can start to slowly add more pre- and probiotic foods to your diet

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Sources:

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.