Liv Life Liverpool

What to eat for a healthy gut?

There are trillions of microbes that make up the internal complex ecosystem located within our intestines and many strains are beneficial to our health. Some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells or produce vitamins and they need to thrive and work effectively to maintain a strong immune system and overall well-being.

Fermented and cultured foods such as pickles, kefir, kimchi, natural yoghurt and miso contain rich sources of these helpful probiotic bacteria and we should aim to eat one serving per day to support good digestion and a strong immune system.

Soluble prebiotic fibre comes from the non-digestible part of many carbohydrates, and they act as fertiliser that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria, allowing them to multiply. Food sources that are rich in soluble fibre are oats and other wholegrains, beans, nuts and seeds and many vegetables including, leeks, onions, mushrooms, cabbage and asparagus.

These fibres are broken down and used for fuel and in turn, the microbes produce beneficial chemicals like butyrate that help to lower inflammation and protect the colon from harmful invaders that cause disease, they do this by strengthening the lining of the intestines. Making sure that we eat plenty of fresh vegetables and whole fruits, wholegrains and beans as well as healthy monounsaturated fats from extra virgin olive oil, omega 3 fats from oily fish, nuts and seeds will help to maintain a healthy and diverse community of gut bacteria.

What are the benefits of eating wholegrains?

How can I maintain a healthy diet while eating out?

What stops us from getting started?