“You are what you eat” is a common phrase that is commonly misunderstood. It’s more like, “You feel as well as the bacteria in your gut breaks down what you eat and impacts your microbiome.” Not quite as catchy, right?

But the takeaway here is that gut health is directly linked to overall well-being. Poor gut health can influence sleep, mental health, food sensitivities, and a host of other issues. Click here for more info on the Weird Ways Your Gut Health May Control Your Habits.

Why the Key to Good Health is Gut Health

How about a refresher on all things gut? We eat; food enters our digestive tract, is digested, and excreted. But your 30-foot-long gastrointestinal tract doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves for its role in your overall health.

Our gut is a fascinating and intricate system, intricately connected to various organs and teeming with trillions of microbes. These microbes, in turn, influence numerous aspects of our health.

“A healthy gut means you have a stronger immune system, better mood, effective digestion that’s free of discomfort and a healthy brain and heart,” says Sabine Hazan, M.D., a gastroenterologist.

Unfortunately, modern life can give our good gut bugs a run for their money. For instance, antibiotics are super good at wiping out bacteria—both good and bad. And don’t even get us started on how processed foods can impact gut health!

How Can You Heal Your Gut?

Alas, it’s not as hard as you may think. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up some great ways to welcome back a diverse range of microbes.

1. Diverse Foods = Diverse Microbiome
   Eating a diverse diet rich in whole foods can lead to a diverse microbiome, which is beneficial for your health in countless ways. Nutrient-rich fruits and veggies are your gut’s BFF. They are loaded with fiber, which your body can’t digest. However, certain species of bacteria can digest fiber, which stimulates their growth. Conversely, research suggests that a diet full of fruits and veggies can halt the growth of some disease-causing bacteria. If you’re new to high-fiber foods, read How To Ease The Transition To Whole Foods.
   
   
2. Fermentation Friendly
   Simply put, fermented foods have undergone a process in which the sugars they contain are broken down by yeast or bacteria. Why does your gut love them? They promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and reduce the number of disease-causing bacteria in the intestines. Some examples of fermented foods include yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha and tempeh.
   
   
3. Get Moving
   It’s hard to find a health advice list that doesn’t include exercise, and gut health is no exception. Exercise has a direct effect on gut bacteria, which in turn improve our metabolism, cardiorespiratory fitness, and insulin resistance.  Researchers found longer workouts and high-intensity aerobic training contributed most to gut bacteria diversity and function in relation to overall wellness. 
   
   
4. Stress Management
   Whatever your stress level of the day may be, it’s wise to consider its impact on your health and well-being. Your gut health often pays the price for these frantic episodes, leaving you with digestive distress of all sorts. That’s because your stomach and emotional state are linked, so any change in everyday stress can impact your digestive health and the complex microbiome that lives in your gut. For more stress-busting ideas, head to Why Meditation and Breathwork? 
   
   
5. The Power of Probiotics
   Remember #2 when we talked about fermented foods? Well, they are chock full of beneficial live probiotic cultures. You may also want to consider a probiotic supplement to help balance your gut flora. However, choose your supplement wisely. 
   
   
6. Get Supplement Savvy
   At Zenwise we pride ourselves in providing effective formulations that address multiple digestive health needs. In fact, we are the only top 25 digestive health company to offer multiple formulas that combine probiotics, prebiotics and enzymes. Each of these formulas feature Reliably Alive DE111 probiotics, which a human study proved survives passage through the stomach and arrives alive in the small intestine, allowing it to work within hours, not days or weeks. Our most popular formulas include Digestive Enzymes, No Bloat and Women’s Probiotics.
   
   
7. 3-Day Reset
   So, we all fall off the balanced life wagon from time to time. But here’s the good news: your gut is resilient, and it doesn’t take long to get it back in balance. You don’t need a crash diet or cleanse. You simply need a gut health reset, and it won’t cost you a dime. Click here to download our easy-to-follow, three-day gut reset plan, plan cheat sheets, recipes, and more.

Find out more

Wondering which product is best for your needs? Our customer service reps can’t wait to tell you more.

Reach them at support@zenwise.com or M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (800) 940-1972. And as always, all Zenwise^® products are backed by the "Eat Freely...or its Free" guarantee! 

^†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.