Maintaining a healthy gut routine is essential, especially in the monsoon season as risk of poor digestion increase. Microbiologist shares important lifestyle ips for a happy gut.
When we speak of gut health, what we can imagine are the varied process of digestion. Keeping the gut healthy is essential to aid in maintaining a healthy and happy body. Poor gut can manifest upset stomach, ill health etc. Therefore, it is also pivotal to have awareness about the gut bacteria – these are microorganisms that live inside our bodies and affect the immune function. There is good bacteria, bad bacteria and the ugly. Gut is not just about digestion of food or absorption of nutrients, it is also the largest immune organ in the body. These bacteria help in growth of immune system.
Photo Gallery: Gut Health: 5 Herbs Off The Kitchen Shelf To Boost Digestion Naturally
We have the good and the bad bacteria. Good bacteria is known as probiotics. Probiotics mean ‘for life’. Hence, we cannot live without these bacterias.
During rainy season, having constipation, diarrhea, and other stomach issues increase. It could be because of consumption of contaminated food or drinks. In hot and humid climate food tends to turn bad easily. The humid climate makes up for the right environment for bacteria to quickly develope and thrive. India.com got in a special and exclusive conversation with Dr. Neerja Hajela, Microbiologist and Head of Science at Yakult Danome India, who explained about the essence of good gut bacteria and how to keep the gut healthy in everyday life.
5 Expert -Backed Tips to Keep Gut Healthy
- Most important is a balanced diet. Dr Hajela says, “We hear about these fad diets, no carb low carb or keto diet, but I think it is all a myth. We need to have a balanced diet as the body requires carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc.”
- What we miss out is water. It is important to have at least 7-8 glasses of water everyday.
- As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s new guidelines, we require at least 30gm of fibre as a part of our diet. It is important to include wholegrain foods.
- At least 30 mins of physical activity everyday is essential. Dr. Hajela says one can dance, walk, do yoga, or anything else but being physically active is important.
- 8 hours of sleep is very important. Keep mobiles and electronics away and have a good and healthy sleep schedule as it also affects the gut.
Lot of the gut health is decided by our lifestyle. How we eat, sleep, how we deal with stress etc, everything affects the gut. Hence, a healthy and active lifestyle can help to drive the good bacteria towards keeping a healthy in monsoon as well.