Why is our gut health so important? 

 We all know that digestion is where the body breaks down the food we eat into other substances which are then either absorbed into the bloodstream or distributed around the body. Many of us consider our gut to be simply an automated food processing system, and often we don’t think about how important this process is for our body. But without it, we wouldn’t get any of the benefits from the food we consume on a day-to-day basis. That’s why it’s important to promote the growth of healthy bacteria and support your digestive system to help keep you feeling your best. There are plenty of ways that you can promote optimal gut health. 

Your overall health has an impact on every part of your body, and making sure you are keeping active every day is vital. High intensity workouts are great, but when it comes to your gut, experts recommend getting in some light exercise in between your heavier workouts. Taking a long walk or lifting weight at your own pace helps promote proper blood flow and has a positive impact on your gastro-intestinal tract. 

Staying hydrated throughout the day is also key to maintaining gut health. Did you know that the human body is made up of around 60% water? Drinking plenty of water has been shown to have a positive impact on your intestinal lining and maintaining healthy bacteria. It is recommended that we drink around six to eight glasses of water a day, and this liquid encourages the passage of waste through your digestive system. 

A diet that is high in fibre is also a good way to support your gut health. Introducing more fibre into your diet can help to improve your digestion, and foods such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, fruits and vegetables, beans and oats are all rich in fibre. However, it’s worth noting that grains and cereals can cause bloating and an irritable bowel in some people. If this is the case for you, then it’s best to just get your fibre intake from fruits and vegetables.  

Incorporating some friendly bacteria into your diet is also a good way to support digestion. Forever Active Pro-B features over 8 billion CFU and is the perfect high-quality friendly bacteria supplement to complement your gut flora and assist with your diet and lifestyle goals. Six strains of friendly bacteria have been selected and engineered for their ability to reach the intended destination of the large intestine, and each strain goes through thorough testing and has been selected for its ability to bypass stomach acid for optimal delivery into the intestines. And now this advanced daily digestive supplement just got even more powerful, with the addition of zinc. Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. 

Evidence shows that the size and complexity of our gut plays a vital role in more than just nutrient absorption, and is also connected to our body’s defences, mental health and general well-being, which is why it is so important that we take care of our digestive system