Have you ever experienced "butterflies in your stomach" or "trusted your gut" when making a significant decision? You can thank the connection between your gut and brain for that.
Your brain and gut communicate with one another. When you experience a "gut feeling" or a knot in your stomach, you're witnessing this interaction. This two way communication is called the 'gut-brain connection,' and the network of nerves responsible for these signals is called the 'gut-brain axis.'
Your gut health influences your brain, and vise versa. For example, people with gut dysbiosis frequently experience depression and anxiety, while those with good gut health are more likely to have a healthy nervous system.
People with digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are actually at a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in wholesome, nutrient-dense foods significantly contributes to maintaining a happy gut. You need to be sure you are incorporating a wide variety of foods. Research indicates that the more varied your diet, the more diverse your microbiome is likely to be.
Here's why this is important: microbiome diversity refers to the number of bacterial species residing in your gut. Typically, a diverse microbiome = a healthy microbiome.
Consider adding these foods to your plate to promote a healthy gut :
High-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains aid in gut movement and help maintain regular bowel function.
Fermented foods including yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, kefir, and kombucha are abundant in beneficial bacteria that replenish your gut.
Prebiotic foods like onions, garlic, asparagus, bananas, chicory, and leeks contain special fibers that nourish your beneficial gut flora.
Polyphenol-rich foods such as berries, cherries, plums, apples, dark chocolate, olives, hazelnuts, pecans, and flaxseed have been shown to limit harmful bacteria and promote the growth of beneficial strains.
Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and are associated with increased gut diversity. Foods rich in Omega-3 include fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel, as well as plant sources like chia seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, and flaxseed.
