A healthy gut is one in which the stomach, esophagus and intestines all work in harmony to enable a person to eat and digest foods efficiently and without pain or discomfort. There are, however, an estimated 70 million people in the US suffering from digestive disorders and there is increasing evidence of the importance of gut health for fighting the incidence of diseases and for a person’s overall good health.
A important part of a healthy gut is the presence, function and balance of certain bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract and are responsible for breaking down food. The best way to maintain healthy levels of these bacteria is to eat foods that are gut-friendly. This includes fresh vegetable and fruits as well as nuts seeds and legumes. Other ways to improve gut health is to get proper sleep and exercise and to avoid the overuse of antibiotics.