10 Gut Cleansing Foods for a Healthy Digestive System. A healthy digestive system is directly correlated to your overall health and well-being.
By eating certain foods that cleanse the gut, you can maintain a healthy digestive system and avoid the many diseases and health issues that are associated with it, including irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, stomach ulcers, irritable colon, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and pancreatitis among others. Here are 10 foods to eat for a clean gut.
See What’s The Fastest Way To Heal Leaky Gut? and Why Do You Have Bad Gut Health?
Gut Cleansing Foods to Include in Your Diet
1. Broccoli
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are great for gut health because they are high in sulfur-containing compounds that promote the growth of good gut bacteria. Plus, broccoli is also a good source of fiber, which is important for keeping the digestive system running smoothly.
2. Spinach
Green leafy vegetables like spinach are rich in chlorophyll, which helps to cleanse and detoxify the digestive system. Spinach is also high in fiber, which aids in digestion and prevents constipation. Furthermore, spinach is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as iron and calcium. All of these nutrients are essential for gut health.
3. Sprouts
Eating sprouts is beneficial in improving your digestive health. As the sprout seeds, there is an increase in the amount of fiber present in the form of insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is not dissolved in the stomach.
However, it feeds the good bacteria in the colon and works as a prebiotic, helping to improve and maintain digestive health.
4. Flaxseed
Flaxseed is high in fiber which helps to bulk up stools and move them through the digestive system more quickly. Additionally, the lignans present in flaxseeds can bind to toxins and help escort them out of the body.
Finally, flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects. For all of these reasons, flaxseed is an excellent gut cleansing food. Try adding a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to your morning smoothie or oatmeal. You can also add whole flaxseeds to salads for additional texture.
5. Lemon water
Lemon water is a great way to start your day and help cleanse your gut. Like apple cider vinegar, the citric acid in lemons helps stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which is necessary for proper digestion. Lemon water also helps flush out toxins and promotes regularity. To make lemon water, simply squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of warm water. You can also add a bit of honey or ginger for added flavor and benefits.
6. Ginger
Ginger is a root that has long been revered for its medicinal properties. It’s thought to be a natural stomach soother and can help with nausea, indigestion, and gas.
Ginger is also prebiotic, meaning it feeds the good bacteria in your gut. To incorporate ginger into your diet, try adding it to smoothies, juices, or teas. You can also find ginger in supplement form.
7. Turmeric tea
Turmeric is a yellow spice that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. This spice has many benefits for gut health, including reducing inflammation, helping to prevent and treat bacterial infections, and stimulating the production of bile. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has also been shown to improve gut motility and protect the lining of the gut from damage.
This flavorful spice can be easily incorporated into your diet by drinking turmeric tea. Simply simmer water with fresh ginger and turmeric root to make turmeric tea.
You can also add a bit of black pepper to boost the absorption of the curcuminoids found in turmeric. If you’re not fond of turmeric tea, try incorporating it into other foods such as curries, soups, or stews.
8. Beets
Beets are an excellent source of fiber, which is essential for gut health. They also contain betaine, a compound that helps improve digestion and prevent constipation. Plus, the antioxidants in beets can help reduce inflammation throughout the body.
To incorporate beets into your diet, try adding them to salads, smoothies, or juicing them. Fermented beets are also great for the gut as they contain good gut bacteria. Plus, the fiber in beets helps feed these bacteria, thus promoting their growth, diversity, and function.
9. Quinoa
Quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids needed in the body. It’s also packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Quinoa is particularly beneficial for gut health due to its high fiber content, which in addition to promoting regularity, helps feed the good gut bacteria.
Quinoa can be used as an alternative to rice or pasta, or you can make quinoa flakes into a cereal by adding water and spices of choice like cinnamon or nutmeg.
10. Brown rice
Whole grains like brown rice are an excellent source of fiber, which is essential for gut health. Fiber helps eliminate waste as it moves along your digestive tract. It can also help reduce inflammation, thus protecting you against common inflammatory gut conditions.
Brown rice is also a good source of B vitamins, which are important for energy production and cell metabolism. Including brown rice in your diet can help improve gut health and overall wellness.
Benefits of Gut Cleansing Foods
A clean gut means that all the food you eat and the things you put in your body are more easily absorbed by your body, and that you’re less prone to sickness, both short-term and long-term. Here’s why you should consider including gut cleansing foods in your diet.
Lowers cholesterol
Eating gut cleansing foods can help lower your cholesterol. When your gut is healthy, it can absorb more cholesterol from your food and get rid of it before it has a chance to enter your bloodstream. This can help keep your cholesterol levels in check and improve your overall cardiovascular health.
Helps maintain weight loss
If you’re trying to lose weight, eating gut-cleansing foods can help you maintain your weight loss. These foods help to cleanse your system and improve your digestion.
Plus, they’re nutrient-rich and low in calories, so they can help you stay on track with your weight loss goals. These foods are also high in fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full and can help reduce cravings.
Balances PH levels in the body
Maintaining a healthy pH balance is essential for our overall health and well-being. When our pH levels are off, it can lead to a variety of health problems, including bacteria overgrowth.
Luckily, there are a number of gut cleansing foods that can help to balance pH levels in the body, such as avocado, olive oil, and flaxseed.
Balances hormone levels and reproductive health
One of the benefits of gut cleansing foods is that they help to balance hormone levels and reproductive health. By cleansing the gut, you are helping to remove toxins and other harmful substances that can build up and cause imbalances. This can lead to improved fertility, regular menstrual cycles, and overall better reproductive health.
Allergies
If you’re someone who suffers from allergies, then cleansing your gut may be a way to help lessen your symptoms. Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen or pet dander.
When these substances enter the body, the immune system mistakes them for harmful invaders and produces antibodies to fight them off.
This process causes inflammation and can lead to allergic symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and watery eyes. By eliminating foods that irritate the gut lining and consuming foods rich in fiber and probiotics, you may see some relief in allergy symptoms.
Better focus
If you’re having trouble focusing, it could be because your gut is full of toxins. When your gut is unhealthy, it affects your brain function.
Gut cleansing foods can help get rid of toxins and improve your focus. They also regulate mood swings and help you feel more mentally balanced. In addition, eating probiotics has been shown to enhance concentration in addition to boosting gut health.
Reduce anxiety
When you have good gut health, your body can better produce serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, social behavior, and sleep. When your gut is full of bad bacteria, it can lead to low levels of serotonin and increased anxiety. Gut cleansing foods will help get rid of the bad bacteria and restore balance to your gut flora.
Protects against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
We all know that gut health is important for overall health, but did you know that eating gut cleansing foods can help protect you against infections? That’s right, consuming probiotic-rich foods can help keep your gut bacteria healthy and strong, which in turn helps fight off harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Clear skin
If you suffer from acne, eating gut cleansing foods may be the answer to clear skin. The gut-skin connection is well-established, and it’s thought that the gut microbiome plays a role in inflammation and skin barrier function.
When your gut is out of balance, it can lead to inflammation and skin issues. Healthy gut foods can help reset the gut and bring balance back to the microbiome. This can lead to clearer skin and a reduction in breakouts.
Improved digestion
If you suffer from bloating, gas, or other digestive issues, cleansing your gut can help improve your digestion. A healthy gut is essential for good digestion, and cleansing can help remove the build-up of bad bacteria that can lead to digestive problems. Cleansing can also help repair the lining of your intestines and get rid of parasites and yeast overgrowth. You’ll also be able to absorb more nutrients when your gut is functioning properly.
Strong immune system
The gut is home to 70% of the immune system, so it’s no surprise that having a healthy gut can lead to a stronger immune system.
When the gut is unhealthy, it’s more susceptible to inflammation and infection, which can weaken the immune system. Eating gut cleansing foods regularly can help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy balance of good bacteria, leading to a stronger immune system.
Foods to Avoid
Following a gut cleansing diet can be an enlightening experience, opening your eyes to the foods that keep you in great health
. However, if you’re not aware of what’s not on the menu, it can also be one of the most miserable experiences of your life. By avoiding these foods, you’ll have one less thing to worry about in your journey to enhance gut health.
1. Coffee
Coffee is one of the worst offenders when it comes to gut health. Coffee is acidic, which can contribute to digestive problems. Coffee also contains caffeine, which can be dehydrating and constipating.
Plus, coffee can stimulate the production of stomach acid, which can lead to heartburn and indigestion. And finally, coffee can irritate the lining of the gut, which can lead to inflammation.
2. Wheat
Wheat is a common allergen that can cause bloating, gas, and other digestive issues. It’s also a common trigger for inflammation. To avoid wheat, you’ll need to avoid products that contain wheat flour, such as bread and pasta. You should also watch out for hidden sources of wheat, such as in processed foods and sauces.
3. Dairy
When trying to cleanse your gut, it’s important to avoid dairy. Dairy products are difficult to digest and can contain high levels of lactose, which can lead to gastrointestinal distress.
In addition, dairy products can contain harmful hormones and antibiotics that can further damage your gut health. If you’re looking for a gut-friendly diet, it’s best to avoid dairy altogether.
4. Sugar
Sugar is one of the worst offenders when it comes to gut health. Not only does it feed bad bacteria, but it can also lead to inflammation and other health problems. If you’re trying to cleanse your gut, be sure to avoid sugary foods as much as possible. This includes candy, desserts, fruit juices, and processed snacks.
5. Meat
Eating meat can be difficult to digest and can put a strain on your system, especially if you’re trying to cleanse your gut. Plus, meat is often high in saturated fat, which can lead to inflammation.
Final Thoughts
You may be surprised to learn that cleansing your digestive system could be as simple as eating the right foods in the right way. Gut cleansing foods like avocado, broccoli, beets, and quinoa can give your digestive system the extra support it needs to digest food, absorb nutrients, and expel waste, all of which can help keep you feeling healthy and strong all day long.
That being said, it’s always good to avoid foods that can trigger gut damage, such as dairy, meat, sugar, wheat, and coffee.
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