The Grazia Beauty team has teamed up with Yakult – the gut experts, to answer your three most asked questions on gut health.
What are the best foods to support the gut?
It's important to nurture a healthy microbiota, consisting of a diverse range of friendly bacteria, which not only supports digestion but also plays a part in promoting health. And our diet is an important factor to help our good bacteria flourish. A healthy, balanced diet of fibre, fruits, vegetables, proteins, wholegrains, healthy fats and carbs can help the gut bacteria thrive, leading to a happy gut.
Tips: Eat the rainbow. Eating different colours and foods from a variety of sources help the good bacteria thrive.
Incorporate fibre which is super important for our gut health. Our gut microbes feed on fibre. It is found in plant-based foods such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices.
Plus stay hydrated, not only is water essential to keep your body functioning it also helps flush out waste and prevent constipation.
I’m bloated! How can I improve this?
There are many reasons you could feel bloated, and one is excess gas in your gut. You can support your gut by getting regular exercise, decreasing stress and eating smarter.
Tips: Make time for your meals, eat slowly (chew your food), avoid tight clothing around your tummy when eating and avoid fizzy drinks.
Some bloating is normal from time to time, but it might be a sign of an unhappy gut. If you are concerned, contact your GP or healthcare professional.
The Gut Skin Axis: What is it?
A growing body of research is making the connection between the gut microbiome and skin health. So, look after your gut by eating gut-friendly foods, keeping stress to a minimum (where possible), staying hydrated and exercising often. Consistency is key.
Yakult have been the experts in gut health for over 85 years. To find out more visit Yakult.co.uk