Most of us experience problems with their stomachs or intestines at some point in their lives. Generally speaking, these are often caused due an indulgent meal, a visit to a relative's, satisfying a fried food craving or just plain old binge eating. While we tend to brush digestive issues off as temporary results of our indulgence, a sluggish digestive system can negatively affect the rest of the body.

Gastrointestinal health is a bit more crucial to our well-being than we tend to give it credit for. Our gut acts like a second brain, affecting our immune system, mood and even memory. About 70 percent of your body's immune system dwells in your digestive tract, so what can be more important than learning how to keep your gut happy, right?

Indulge in a Gut-Friendly Diet

We are what we eat, quite literally. The food we eat dictates the kind of bacteria that grow in our gut — bacteria that have a long-term effect on our health and well-being. Changing your diet to increase those beneficial gut bugs can keep a check on diseases and do your body a whole lot of good. Feasting on fiber-rich meals and staying away from spicy foods, carbonated drinks and dairy products can keep IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) at bay, and cutting down on fried foods can help you avoid that much-dreaded heartburn.

Boost Your Beneficial Bacteria

Good digestive health is characterized by a digestive system that has adequate nutrient absorption, gastric motility, a good immune response and a well-balanced microbiota (the colony of microorganisms that live in the gut). Probiotics (gut-friendly bacteria) help better your digestive health by improving the digestibility of your system and building an immunity to gut diseases.

Keep an Eye Out for Constipation

The Abbott Gut-Health Study showed that 22 percent of adult Indians suffer from chronic constipation. Yet constipation is often an ignored problem in our country. Most people fail to discuss problems with their bowel movements and only see a doctor when the condition has worsened. Learn how to detect and treat constipation.

Avoid Triggering IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome is a group of symptoms that arise together that affect the large intestine. The best way to control the symptoms is to maintain a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Opting for some healthy alternatives can ensure that IBS doesn't take over your life.

Choose the Right Way of Management

The challenge with maintaining good gut health can be quite tricky. Mostly because of the assumption that the nature of diet can sometimes result in these reactions. However, the operative word here is - sometimes. Paying just a little bit of attention to how your body is reacting to what you feed it can go a long way in helping manage and mitigate these issues. Timely physician consult can help you maintain the right mix of diet so you get the best of both worlds.

 

Disclaimer: This publication/editorial/article is meant for awareness and educational purposes and does not constitute or imply an endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of any Products. Please consult your doctor/healthcare practitioner before starting any diet, medication or exercise.