It is hard to enjoy life on an upset stomach. This is why it is essential to take care of yourself to ensure that you aren’t missing out on some of life's greatest moments. In the past few years, gut health has been talked about at an increasing rate and for good reason: when your gut is happy, so are you, but when it’s unhappy: life can be unbearable. Approximately 5.9 percent of adults are diagnosed with stomach ulcers (infection with Bacterium Helicobacter pylor) every day and without a doubt, taking care of your body has never been more important. While it isn’t always easy, you can ensure the health of your stomach by eating the proper foods Luckily, there are a few common (and not so common but easily sourced) foods that have your stomach's best interest in mind. These five foods can help protect you and your gut and can add quality fiber and protein to your diet without added supplementation.
1. Kimchi
Fermented vegetables provide fiber for the bacteria that are already in our gut and they also provide a dose of new microorganisms that help diversify what we already have. This variation helps the original bacteria function at a higher, more productive level and actually improves our health all around. This is complimented by the fact that fermented foods help with our overall absorption of minerals. Because kimchi is fermented naturally, you don’t have to be worried about additives or chemicals that your body isn’t used to. You’ll be pleased with the unique taste and all the benefits you get from eating it.
2. Citrus Fruit
Now, we all know that fruit is good for us, but many people shy away from it because of the high levels of acidity or natural sugar. What’s commonly forgotten is that citrus is high in fiber which will help lower the risks for different types of stomach cancer. These friendly fruits can help protect your tummy and not only give you nutrients, but also clear out your stomach as well.
3. Probiotics: Yogurt or Bananas
Probiotics have recently become the new craze and many products claim to have them. As always, you need to be on the look out for harmful additives. Because of this, two foods we recommend for this category are plain yogurt and bananas. Whereas they both have good bacteria, specifically bananas have been found to reduce inflammation. The good bacteria in these products plow their way through gastric acid while supporting colon health. They don’t stop there, though! They also help improve the condition of your stomach lining. These healthy bacteria assist with the contraction of muscles in the G.I. tract as well as reducing unpleasant sensations in the gut. After introducing probiotics into your diet, you will feel better all around.
4. Cinnamon
When considering how to ease your discomfort, you may not have considered the many benefits of cinnamon. This spice can soothe your stomach and relieve gas. Because it breaks up gasses in the intestinal tract, it helps calm your stomach and reduce morning sickness and diarrhea. It works great as a post-meal digestive aid. Nowadays, our diets can change drastically overnight; not limited to, but including travel and new diet trends. Cinnamon helps aid in the digestive process and assists in making these drastic changes less harmful for our bodies. Cinnamon is a fantastic natural way to rid yourself of any indigestion problems.
5. Broccoli
You have probably been told all your life to finish up the remaining broccoli on your plate and that’s a great thing. Broccoli has metabolites that contain sulfur which release anti-inflammatory substances into your gut. Not only does this reduce many different types of cancer, but it also helps relieve discomfort. To put it simply, the broccoli (and other leafy greens) help latch onto bad pathogens in our body and remove them for better gut health.
This process has both short and long-term benefits for your health. While you may feel that certain areas of your body deserve more attention when it comes to health. Trust me when I say that you do not want to take your gut health for granted. Vacations, holidays and everyday life are significantly more enjoyable when you can eat what you want and feel good while doing it.
It doesn’t take a massive effort on your part to incorporate these foods into your daily meals. It’s easy to use these products in a variety of creative ways to ensure that you are taking care of yourself without getting bored of eating the same things day in and day out. There’s no better time than now to start taking care of your stomach!
Sara Jane Adkins is a health coach writer, food-lover and mother. Currently serving as content editor at Fitness Review Guide, she inspires people to become more nutritionally conscious and physically fit while still enjoying the foods that they love to eat. Her articles have appeared on Huffington Post, LifeHack, VegKitchen, Calorie Count, Share Care, Healthy Fit Natural, and the Chicago Tribune.