Sauerkraut: one of the best foods to supercharge your gut

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Many Americans are affected by poor diet choices, chronic stress, and toxic overload. These factors have increased the prevalence of leaky gut! Many Americans now suffer from food sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune disease and thyroid problems. (1)

A primal connection exists between the gut and brain, resulting in the gut being called “the second brain.” We have “gut feelings” but the connection between the mind and gut is not just metaphorical. The brain and gut is connected through neurons and chemicals, and hormones constantly provide feedback that tell us how hungry we are, whether we are experiencing stress or if we have ingested a disease causing microbe.(2)

In 24 hours we can cultivate a new gut microbiota that can influence our health

Ninety percent of our cells are microbial cells meaning that our diet influences our microbes. The good news is that it is possible to cultivate a new microbiota in 24 hours by changing our diet. Bacteria lives in our intestinal tracts and flourish off of plant-based foods.(3)

A healthy microbiota can help combat obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disease and cancer

A healthy gut microbiota helps the body digest and absorb nutrients, synthesize vitamins, and fight off influenza and carcinogens. Over time a healthy microbiota can help combat obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disease and even cancer.(3)

Seven foods that will restore a healthy gut microbiota

If you are considering improving your gut health, consider eating more of the following foods: (3)

  • Jerusalem artichokes: Jerusalem artichokes contain high levels of inulin. Inulin travels through the body into the colon, where it ferments into a healthy micro flora.
  • Bananas: Bananas work to maintain harmony among phyla microbes. They are also helpful in reducing inflammation due to potassium and magnesium content.
  • Polenta: Like Jerusalem artichokes, polenta’s insoluble fiber travels to the colon where it ferments into gut flora!
  • Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates that are broken down by microbes and release substances that help reduce inflammation, and risk of bladder, breast, colon, liver, lung, and stomach caner.
  • Blueberries: Studies show that blueberries strengthen our memory, improve our immune system and diversify our gut bacteria!
  • Beans: Legumes contain short-chain fatty acids that help strengthen the intestine cells, improve absorption of micronutrients and help with weight loss. They are also a good source of fiber, protein, folate, and B vitamins that play a role in creating a healthy gut.
  • Fermented foods: Foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut or soy sauce inoculate your guy with healthy micro-organisms that will help fight off unhealthy gut bacteria and improve mineral absorption. Fermented plant-based foods have been found to improve the health of intestinal cells, improve immune function, decrease allergies, reduce risk of colon cancer and treat diarrhea!

(3)

If you have been fighting chronic illnesses, consider reseting your gut microbiota. Restoring healthy bacteria in your gut may improve your health and wellbeing.


Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. SUBSCRIBE here to get more from Raw Michelle!


Sources for this article include:
(1) draxe.com: 7 Signs and Symptoms You Have Leaky Gut
(2) scientificamerican.com: Gut Feelings–the “Second Brain” in Our Gastrointestinal Systems, by Justin Sonnenburg, Erica Sonnenburg
(3) pcrm.org: Seven Foods to Supercharge Your Gut Bacteria, by Meghan Jardine

Michelle Bosmier
Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straightforward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. She has authored and published hundreds of articles on topics such as the raw food diet and green living in general.

( http://www.rawfoodhealthwatch.com/ )