Eat these 6 foods to improve gut bacteria

While every solid, liquid, and gaseous matter is made up of atoms, it doesn’t affect us in the way that bacteria does. Bacteria are microscopic organisms that do not make up elements of the earth, but they are certainly present in all matter. They are present in soil, the air, food, water, and even in our body. In our body, bacteria play quite an important role, and are present in many places like the skin, saliva, hair, and in the gut. Today, we will focus solely on gut bacteria - its functions and the foods which improve its numbers.

Bacteria in the gut play many important roles such as controlling the immune system by fighting off infections, boosting brain function by controlling the nervous system, and improving heart health by increasing good cholesterol levels. However, undoubtedly the most crucial role of bacteria in the gut is to help with digestion. Without bacteria in the gut, our internal functionality would go haywire, which would lead to dire consequences like reduced bowel movements and indigestion. All-in-all, gut bacteria are as important for our survival as oxygen is, and there are certain foods that improve bacteria in terms of quantity and efficiency. Here are the best foods to maintain healthy gut bacteria.

There are many foods like yogurt, kefir, and kombucha that are made with gut-friendly bacteria. These foods increase the number of healthy bacteria in the gut and improve digestion, while also fighting off harmful bacteria.

Fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges, and whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa are all excellent sources of fiber. Fiber is an essential dietary requirement for gut bacteria, and the more fiber that is fed to them, the healthier they will be.

Almonds, walnuts, cashews, and other nuts contain a good amount of healthy fatty acids besides a good amount of fiber and probiotic properties. Fatty acids provide the ideal environment for gut bacteria to grow, as they keep the bacteria healthy.

Garlic is known for its antimicrobial properties, which helps in reducing bad bacteria, thus giving room to healthy bacteria to thrive and function.

Polyphenol is an organic chemical that can be found in foods like dark chocolate, chestnut, coffee, wine, and tea. These are difficult to digest, so the gut bacteria have to work harder to break them down, promoting the growth and efficiency of gut bacteria.

Apart from being a good source of fiber, Brussels sprouts contain sulfur compounds which help in combating unhealthy bacteria while promoting the healthy kind.