We all want to look and feel our very best and stomach bloating is a real pain and a common problem in today's modern world. In today's blog we explore 10 types of food that help beat the bloat by maintaining healthy gut flora.
1. Avocado
Avocado is not only a healthy option full of essential monounsaturated fats and omegas but it also tastes great. There are loads of different ways to prepare Avocado but the very best way to get all the beneficial nutrients is to simply peel the skin, chop and add it straight to a delicious salad. Avocado's are packed with fibre and it's the high fibre content and antioxidant properties that helps beat the bloat! Trust us, if you want to set your digestion off to a good start then get avocado into your weekly diet.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a herb that's packed with upper digestive enzymes that brings warmth and heat to the internal body which in turn aids digestion and helps the body work more efficiently. Try and add a small dose of ginger to your daily diet and you will reap the rewards! It can be chopped and added to a herbal tea, - lemon and ginger go together really well! Ginger also helps with protecting the immune system so there's another great reason to add it to your daily staple.
3. Bananas
You've heard of the age old saying, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'....but this is actually better served with a banana! Bananas contain plenty of potassium which plays an important roll in the balancing of electrolytes within the body. Your body uses this electrical charge (albeit very small) to manage a variety of processes, including fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals. Top tip: Eat a banana half hour before you go to bed and it will help you drift off to sleep!
4. Kimchi
Might sound disgusting to some that it's actually fermented Korean cabbage, but if you give it a go you'll actually find it makes a delicious addition to many noodle dishes! Kimchi is a great natural probiotic and probiotics are known to help the good bacteria flourish in your stomach, and we all need good bacteria to aid digestion, fight off those little nasty bugs and keep our digestion healthy and regular.
5. Cayenne
Not strictly a food but we had to add Cayenne spice as it increases digestive fluid production. Although a lot of spicy food can aggravate stomach ulcers, studies on Cayenne have shown that Cayenne actually reduces the likelihood of developing them. Sprinkle Cayenne over your favourite dish for a healthy kick and touch of heat.
6. Oats
Oats are so underrated for their health benefits. Oats help fuel and feed the good bacteria in your stomach, helping it flourish and maintaining levels. Oats offer a gentler source of fibre than other grains as they're easier to digest. They also have 2 types of plant nutrients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to help keep your gut in good health. Eat oats in their most natural form, such as porridges to get the most out of them!
7. Greek Yoghurt
Another source of probiotic, Greek Yoghurt helps keep you stay regular and is packed full of B-Vitamins, potassium and protein. - These are all essential nutrients in the fight to keep your gut flora balanced whilst maintaining healthy levels of energy! Gut health is important in staving off those stress hormones that get sent to the brain, so this is a win-win situation in keeping the mind and body in a healthy and balanced state.
8. Lentils
Lentils contain prebiotic, the food for probiotics, so just like oats they should be an essential part of your weekly food plan. Preparing them with a Vit C rich source, such as tomatoes will also ensure you benefit from the high levels of iron contained in lentils.
9. Sweet Potato
Pretty much all of us love the good old traditional British potato meaning sweet potatoes often get forgotten. However, with modern research and the quest to be as healthy as possible we have started to discover that the sweet potato is a far better option. It contains all the nutrients of the traditionally favoured potato yet it is lower on the Glycemic Index (GI) meaning it packs a far healthier punch! A better source of fibre and lower GI means you can reach for the sweet potato, guilt free, knowing that there wont be any spikes in blood sugar levels. Having more constant blood sugar levels will have a positive impact on your gut health.
10. Rhubarb Complex®
A bespoke formula developed over 50 years based on clinical experience to help with all aspects of the digestive system. Of course, you may be thinking that we're bound to finish with Rhubarb Complex®... after all it's our very own original product! - We say take a look at our Rhubarb Complex® product page and see how Rhubarb Complex has helped 1000's to beat the bloat and experience its amazing health benefits. Read and watch the Rhubarb Complex® reviews and see how it has transformed many lives and become a daily part of our customer's modern lifestyles!
