
HAPPY GUT, HAPPY MIND....
We have heard the sayings ‘gut instinct’, ‘gut feeling’ or ‘gut reaction’, but have you ever really considered just HOW strong a relationship there is between the health of our gut and our mind. 🤯
🧠 Our gut and our brains are connected by a nerve. The nervous system is directly related to the trillions (yes, really!) of microbes that live in the gut. 💪🏼
Gut bacteria produce many neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and acetylcholine, which are critical for mood, anxiety, concentration, reward, and motivation. 🧐 The gut microbiome therefore, can cause changes in how our brain reacts.
👩🏻🔬 A lot of research has gone into studying the symptoms of depression and anxiety with poor gut health. More than 1/3 of depression sufferers have a ‘leaky gut’ that allows bacterium to seep out into the bloodstream. For anxiety sufferers, studies reveal that taking prebiotics can have anti-anxiety effects as it helps the brain responds positively to the environment. 🧠 Ongoing research is taking place for those suffering with autism, dementia and Parkinson’s.

Here are a few suggestions for you to try out, for a healthier gut and improved mood;
✅
Eat whole foods - avoid packaged or processed foods, as they are high in additives that disrupt the healthy bacteria. Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and choose organic where possible
✅
Eat more fibre, including whole grains and legumes
✅
Include probiotic-rich foods such as plain yogurt
✅
Sugar feeds inflammation. At breakfast, replace sugar with cinnamon
✅
Adding fermented foods such as kombucha, sauerkraut, or kimchi is a helpful way to maintain a healthy gut
✅
0 comments