The importance of gut health has become more widely “marketed” in recent years thanks to things like probiotics. However, there are still many people who don’t understand what it means to have a healthy gut, or why it’s so beneficial.
In short, keeping your gut microbiome healthy means maintaining the delicate balance of good bacteria in there. That’s easier than you might think with the right diet and supplements. An unhealthy gut can lead to problems like high stress, sleep issues, and poor immune function.
So, choosing to live and eat with your gut health in mind will not only help with those things, but can provide many other benefits that will help you feel and look your best.
Let’s cover some of the biggest benefits of keeping your gut healthy, so you can start to make the best choices for your microbiome.
Fewer Digestive Issues
It should make sense that improving your gut health would also improve digestive and gastrointestinal issues. A healthy gut causes less inflammation in your digestive system, leading to fewer lapses in immunity.
Often, intolerances to certain foods are caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. That can cause issues like:
- Nausea
- Gas
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
Additionally, if you have gastrointestinal issues like GERD, poor gut health can exacerbate your symptoms. Sometimes, medication for GERD can impact your gut microbiome. If that’s the case, you might have to look at more long-term solutions and dietary changes to help your condition, rather than rely on medications.
An unhealthy gut can also cause weight fluctuations, even without changes to your diet or exercise routine. Your body might not be able to store nutrients properly, or you could see an increase in inflammation, which appears as weight gain.
Better Sleep
The gut is sometimes referred to as the “second brain,” because it can produce neurotransmitters. That includes the neurotransmitters involved in sleeping, like dopamine and melatonin.
Studies have shown that better gut health can improve sleep quality by decreasing stress-induced sleep deprivation. They also have shown that a diet rich in probiotics can help to improve your REM sleep, allowing you to feel more rested each day.
Getting enough sleep is associated with countless health issues, including mental health issues like depression and anxiety, so if poor gut health is keeping you from getting the rest you need, consider focusing on improving your gut health.
Clearer Skin
You’ve probably heard that eating chocolate and greasy food can impact your skin. However, your diet goes deeper than that. Simply put, a healthy gut can lead to beautiful skin.
When you have the right amount of good bacteria in your gut, you’re less likely to deal with inflammation. Alternatively, too much bad bacteria can have a negative impact on your skin, leading to conditions like:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Dandruff
- Eczema
Maintaining your gut health will help to improve the barrier function of your skin, while also keeping it moisturized. Whether you struggle with your skin health, you have a condition, or you just want to maintain a healthy glow, start from the inside out.
Better Eye Health
Your gut and your eyes have a closer connection than you might think, mostly because they both require similar things to stay healthy and strong.
As you eat for a healthy gut, you’ll start to notice other bodily benefits. You should be consuming things like fresh fruits and vegetables, and foods rich in vitamins and minerals. All of those things will not only benefit your gut, but your eye health as well. With that kind of diet, you can prevent things like cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
More Energy
People are more exhausted than ever. Low energy levels are a huge problem across the country, and while there are many contributing factors to that, lifestyle choices play a big role.
It’s important to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions that could be causing you to feel fatigued. However, more often than not it’s a combination of not getting enough sleep and a poor diet. Your gut health impacts energy in several ways.
First, as your gut communicates with your brain, it can impact both your mood and energy levels. An unhealthy gut tells the brain that you’re feeling tired and lethargic. We’ve already talked about sleep, but it’s important to note that an unhealthy gut can lead to insomnia and poor sleep, causing fatigue and low energy levels throughout the day.
There are many more benefits of keeping your gut healthy. The best part? You don’t need to make any drastic changes to experience these benefits. By making a few food swaps at each meal, taking probiotic and prebiotic supplements, and focusing on your overall health, you can improve the well-being of your gut, and enjoy the other health benefits that go along with it.