Our bowels play an integral part of our overall health, digestion is the only way we are able to access the nutrients we need to function. Our bowel specifically is where the waste products of our food and metabolism end up and are excreted, it is also the home to trillions of micro bacteria that we live in unison with. If our bowels aren’t functioning properly we are predisposing our bodies to a huge range of dis-ease. Here are some tips to keep those all-important bowels healthy!
- Drink water – it sounds like a given but people don’t realise the importance of keeping hydrated. If we aren’t drinking enough water we are compromising the movement of poop through our bowels. Stagnation in the bowels or constipation is not only a very uncomfortable symptom to experience, it increases the chance of your body reabsorbing the toxic waste. So drink up, in the form of pure water, water with freshly squeezed lemon/lime, herbal teas, soups, smoothies, broths. There are many tasty ways to keep hydrated!
- Eat fibre – again, sounds very basic but it is so vital to a healthy bowel. Fibre has many benefits, to name a few – increases stool bulk and frequency, keeps you regular, helps clear out excess cholesterol, helps with the detoxification of oestrogen/hormones and the real big kicker, it is actually the food source for those bacteria I was talking about. Without food, just like human beings, this inner ecosystem can perish and we do not want this because remember they work WITH US to maintain health. Choose wholefood sources of fibre such as traditional rolled oats, fresh fruits & vegetables, onions, garlic, artichoke, asparagus, lentils, beans, chickpeas, cooked and cooled potato.
- Eat a rainbow – highly coloured fresh fruits and vegetables such as purple cabbage, beetroot, kiwi fruit, red dragon fruit, sweet potato, pumpkin, berries all contain high amounts of polyphenols (plant antioxidants) which directly influence our gut bacteria by feeding them and encouraging them to make short chain fatty acids – special bacterial by products which keep our colon in tip top shape and lower inflammation.
- Manage stress – our nervous system is the communication centre for how our digestion functions. Wave like movements are constantly happening from our oesophagus to lower bowl that helps propel food and waste to move through our system. Stress can cause either a halt in this movement leading to constipation, bloating, gas or an acceleration of it causing loose stools and cramping (the term nervous poo comes to mind!). Stress also redirects blood away from our digestive tract compromising it’s function again and also disrupts the balance of our inner ecosystem of bacteria. Too much stress causes a lot of havoc!
Being the epicentre of health, ensuring our bowels are healthy is a key factor to overall well-being. Implementing the above tips is a sure fire way to keep everything on track!
If you are looking for some guidance in improving your lifestyle through exercise, diet, managing stress and maintaining your body, our Embrace Life team is here to help.