Every time you eat, you probably don’t think twice about what your digestive system is doing. You enjoy your food and let everything else just happen.

Well, if your gut could talk (and oftentimes we do hear it!) it would likely have a lot to say about the food you’re eating, your state of mind and whether you slept well last night. That’s because our choices have a big impact on the function of our digestion, which, in turn, is critical to our overall well-being.

The conversation your gut would have might look something like this…

“You can partly blame me for your bad mood.”

Bacteria in your intestines may be able to send signals to your brain via neurotransmitters. (See “Clean up your diet” below) According to researchers at the John Hopkins School of Medicine, the phrase “going with your gut instinct” has a literal meaning. They’ve found a connection between digestive issues and mental health, leading them to believe that the gut acts as a second brain. ¹

“Relax and stress less.”

Avoiding stress is essential for our well-being. When you’re stressed out, your brain responds in a way that negatively affects your digestion by inhibiting its function. Gut bacteria get out of balance which hinders nutrient absorption … the key function of the gut.

“Feed me probiotics.”

Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep the gut healthy. Bacteria in the gut is necessary for digesting food, absorbing nutrients and water, and killing bad bacteria. The key is to foster a balance of good and bad bacteria with a healthy diet.

Antibiotics can kill good bacteria, so after you’ve finished a course, be sure to eat yogurt or take a probiotic supplement to restore balance. Probiotic by PURE creates an ideal environment for digestion, immune function and absorption of nutrients. Micro-encapsulation of the probiotic species makes them more acid-resistant for maximum utilization and potency. Probiotic contains 8 probiotic species as well as prebiotics.

“Clean up your diet.”

The best foods for gut health include fiber, fermented foods, greens, roughage, fruits and garlic.  Bananas and garlic are good sources of prebiotics, the food that feeds probiotics.

Eating processed foods can decrease the production of neurotransmitters in the gut, like serotonin, so you won’t feel as energized. “Since about 95% of serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, and your gastrointestinal tract is lined with a hundred million nerve cells, it makes sense that the digestive system affects your emotions.”  (remember that bad mood?) The function of these nerve cells is highly influenced by the billions of “good” bacteria.²

Supplement your diet with Mila which is rich in plant-based fiber and protein. The fiber found in Mila is predominantly soluble fiber which aids in the relief of occasional constipation.*

“Avoid drinking too much alcohol.”

Chronic alcohol consumption can throw the balance of good and bad gut bacteria out of whack.

“When you sleep, I can sleep.”

In studies, sleep deprivation caused subtle changes to gut bacteria and increased the number of bacteria associated with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes and fat metabolism.³

Other products by PURE that help target digestive health.

Daily Detox and HealthTrim Cleanse help detox your body of internal and environmental toxins. Improves digestion and bowel elimination. Daily Detox is used daily whereas HealthTrim Cleanse is used for short-term use every few months. * The premium, ceremonial matcha in Matcha Vegan Shake also helps in healthy digestion and cleansing. Noni superfruit is rich in antioxidants, providing support and promotion of a healthy immune system.

Be good to your gut and it will be good to you.

 

¹ https://www.johnshopkinshealthreview.com/issues/fall-winter-2015/articles/the-garden-in-your-gut

²https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626

³ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212877816301934