Nearly 60 to 70 million people worldwide are affected by digestive diseases every single year. Constipation, problems with digestion, and bloating are some common problems related to your gut that affects the majority of the cases. Fortunately, with right foods, most of these problems related to your gut can be cured very easily. We have listed below some of the best and most powerful foods, and how to use them to help heal your gut and keep it in healthy condition.
1 Ginger
Ginger has been traditionally used as a cure for nausea and vomiting sensation. Interestingly, many recent research and studies have acknowledged its benefits for these conditions. Benefits of ginger don’t end there, it is believed to be more effective in bringing downside effects of chemotherapy, seasickness, and prevent bloating by expelling intestinal gas. So if you are experiencing stomach upset, then a piece of ginger might just come handy to soothe yourself.
How to use it: Add pieces of chopped pieces of fresh ginger root to a cup of boiling water in simmer. Let it steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain out the ginger pieces and drink the extract by adding a little honey to taste. Drink this two to three times a day when you experience stomach problems. Or drink it twice or thrice a week to maintain your gut in healthy condition.
2 Pineapple
One of the vital components of a pineapple fruit is bromelain. It is even available in supplement form but sourcing it naturally is the best option. Many studies and research on bromelain have revealed numerous health benefits attached to it. It plays a very crucial role in our digestion process, it helps you to digest protein, fight intestinal pathogens like E-coli, and prevent gastrointestinal tract inflammation. Consuming pineapple regularly will even help you to lose those extra pounds of fat in your body.
How to use it: Remove the outer rough skin and slice down the fleshy fruit. Make it into small pieces, top it up with a little honey before having it. If you do not like the taste of honey, you can sprinkle some chili powder on top.
3 Onions
Onions play a big role in many Indian recipes, in fact, it is an indispensable ingredient in Indian cooking. Indians believe onions encourage better digestion and it is true. Onions contain a type of fiber called inulin, which is prebiotic that increases the growth of good bacterias in your gut and keeps the bad harm causing pathogens at bay. There are also studies that suggest inulin might even prevent the occurrence of the colon and intestinal cancer.
How to use it: You can make a quick onion pickle. The process of making it is very simple. Just thinly slice some red onions and put it into a pint jar. Add some hot water, apple cider vinegar, and honey to the jar and store it in a refrigerator. You can regularly include this pickle in your diet to ensure a healthy gut.
4 Sunchokes
Similar to onions, sunchokes are also rich in inulin fiber, a prebiotic that keeps your gut in top shape. Our intestines cannot digest fibers, so they act as a food for do-good bacterias, which in turn boosts your digesting capacity. Additionally, these bacterias will fight against the pathogens that cause bloating and diarrhea. Make sure you cook the sunchokes properly before consumption, else it can negatively impact your gut’s health.
How to use it: Cook the thinly sliced sunchokes in organic coconut oil until it turns brown in low flame. Once cooked you can add some balsamic vinegar and chopped thyme for garnishing. Have this two to three times a weak.
5 Fennel
Again fennel seeds are widely used in many Indian restaurants and it is provided for the customers have a heavy filling meal to ease digestion. It is also used as a traditional medicine to cure digestive problems in India and other parts of the world. Many Doctors believe fennel essential oils help to improve digestion, ease chronic colitis, and reduce bloating. So if you want to strengthen your gut, fennels seeds is a must have spice in your kitchen.
How to use it: You can take fennel seeds in raw form after every meal. Else, dry roast some fennel seeds in low flame for a couple of minutes in medium flame and grind it into a fine powder. Use this powder as a topping in your salads, or add it to oatmeal, burgers, or soups.
6 Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is made by fermenting cabbage. It aids and improves digestion. It is also traditionally used to treat diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence. Many studies have shown that sauerkraut is rich in good bacterias or probiotics that improve your gut health. Additionally, some researchers even claim that it can be used for treated serious gut conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome. and it even believed to prevent colon cancer. Always eat sauerkraut in raw form, heating it will destroy its healing properties and good bacterias present in it.
How to use it: You can it to your salads or have it along with burgers, sandwiches etc…
7 Papaya
Some people believe eating papaya can lead to stomach upset. But this is a wrong belief. Papaya is rich in papain, a digestive enzyme that aids digestion, and improves intestinal activity. Some studied proved that papaya is very effective in curing various abdominal disorders such as indigestion, constipation, heartburn, and bloating. Additionally, it aids in digesting protein.
How to use it: You can add papaya pieces to your salads regularly or you can even have papaya as an evening snack. But, overeating papaya fruit can upset your stomach. So have it in moderation.