8 Gut-Healing Foods You Should Know About

Call it a gut feeling:  Something just doesn’t seem right with you, health-wise.

Research shows that chronic digestive problems, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune disease can all occur because of a damaged gut. Fortunately, you can start to heal your gut by changing some of the foods you eat, especially removing inflammatory foods such as dairy, grains, and sugar. In addition, you can add in anti-inflammatory foods that can help to promote gut healing.

Read on to learn about some of the tasty foods that can soothe your digestive system and improve your overall health – all without taking a huge bite out of your budget.

Coconut

Coconut, a true superfood, has many antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Coconut supports gut healing by fighting potential pathogens, and can be ingested by using it when cooking, adding it to smoothies, or eating a tablespoon by itself.

Aromatic Herbs

Aromatic herbs like oregano, ginger, cloves, and rosemary can improve digestive health because they possess antibacterial properties. Cooking with these tasty herbs not only adds flavor to your meals, but also helps heal and protect your gut.

Pineapple

Pineapple provides an excellent source of the proteolytic enzyme bromelain, which supports digestion by breaking down and digesting protein. Because pineapple helps your body break down protein, digestion is made easier.

Turmeric 

Long known as a powerful, anti-inflammatory food, turmeric has many health benefits. Whether you add turmeric to food or take it in capsule form, it can help reduce gut inflammation and promote healing.

Lemon

Bitter, astringent foods like lemon are great for stimulating bile production, which aids in digestion. Another benefit:  Lemon helps to detoxify the body. Try drinking a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are food for the good bacteria in your body, and supporting and feeding your good bacteria is essential for gut health. Foods rich in prebiotics include sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, honeydew, cantaloupe, honey, artichokes, and zucchini.

Fermented Foods

A great source of good bacteria (probiotics), fermented foods are known to support the immune system and promote motility in the GI tract. If you’re looking to add fermented foods to your diet, consider apple cider vinegar, kefir (coconut, dairy, or water versions), sauerkraut, yogurt, or kimchi.

Animal Protein

Animal protein, preferably organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised or wild-caught, is conducive to gut healing. What’s more, this type of protein is a great source of dietary amino acids such as glutamine, glutamate, and arginine, which optimize intestinal immune functions. Animal protein also promotes acid production in the stomach, which is critical for healthy digestion.