1. Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods. When you think about your diet, consider the number of plant-based foods, grains, legumes and beans you're eating. Foods high in fiber, especially prebiotic fiber, balance your gut increasing good bacteria and starving bad bacteria.
Prebiotic foods (whole grains, bananas, greens, onions, garlic, soybeans, and artichokes) act as food for healthy gut bacteria. Probiotic foods like yogurt are full of good bacteria already.
Fermented foods such as raw sauerkraut, kimchi, or kombucha can supplement good gut bacteria, in addition to probiotic supplementation to add more concentrated amounts (in the billions or trillions) of beneficial microorganisms into the human gut.
An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, good quality sleep, and probiotics are all strategies to put in place before trying antimicrobials or antibiotics to get rid of bad bacteria.
So to answer the question…to kill off dormant bacteria it can take up to 6 months. This highlights the importance that if any healthy habits are being adopted they must be sustained for at least this amount of time to result in permanent shifts in your microbiome.
The research surrounding coffee and its effects on the gut appear to be somewhat positive. Several studies have claimed that coffee consumption helps improve bowel movements, stimulates the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and increases the rate of smooth muscle contraction in the small intestine and colon.
Research has found that fasting periods ranging from several hours to a day support the health of the gut microbiome. One mouse study found that alternate-day fasting (twenty-four hours of eating regular meals that meet your calorie needs followed by twenty-four hours of fasting) promoted bacterial clearance.
As part of a balanced diet, eggs contribute to a healthy digestive tract and can be helpful during acute digestive problems. In addition to being packed with nutrients, eggs are usually easy to digest compared to some other high-protein foods, such as meat and legumes.
Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way to regulate digestion. Drinking lukewarm water has been shown to be good for digestion as well. Also, try eating plenty of foods high in water content. This includes fruits and vegetables like watermelons, tomatoes, lettuce, and celery.
Initial evidence suggests that intermittent fasting may benefit your gut health, particularly by increasing the diversity of your gut microbiome and the “good” gut bugs that make their home there. Certain foods may improve your gut health while intermittent fasting, as well as help support you during fasting periods.
Water-only fasting could have a profound and long-lasting effect on gut microbiome. However, juice fasting has a relatively limited effect on gut microbiome. Water-only fasting could be a potential tool to reduce Fusobacterium.
Ingredients like chickpeas, yogurt, bananas, oats and apples also bump up the gut health factor in these recipes, from freshly baked muffins to delicious creamy dips. Recipes like our Avocado Hummus and Caramel Delight Energy Balls are healthy snacks that are sure to keep you satisfied when hunger strikes.
The amount of probiotics found in sourdough bread is increased through fermentation, producing a loaf great for gut health. This specific fermentation process also creates a bread that may be easier to digest than conventional bread. Plus, because its energy releases slowly, it will help keep you fuller for longer.
Frequent discomfort, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn could be signs that your gut is having a hard time processing food and eliminating waste. You feel tired more often than not. People with chronic fatigue may have imbalances in the gut.
"Leaky gut syndrome" is said to have symptoms including bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, and aches and pains. But it's something of a medical mystery. “From an MD's standpoint, it's a very gray area,” says gastroenterologist Donald Kirby, MD, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic.
While for lactose-intolerant people, some cheese can provoke gas and even diarrhea, in others, an excess of cheese has the reputation for causing constipation due to its high fat content. The best way to mix cheese and gut health is in a balanced meal; this helps you avoid accidentally over-indulging.
Avoiding processed junk foods, alcohol, sugary beverages, refined oils, and artificial sweeteners may aid the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Cutting out foods containing gluten or common stimulants of digestive symptoms may also help.