Prebiotics are types of fiber that are not digested in the small intestine and instead travel to the colon, where they are fermented to provide "food" for gut-healthy probiotics. Williams shares, "The good bacteria, or probiotics, need food to live on. Think of prebiotics as food for the probiotics.

In addition to their gut-health benefits, fiber-rich foods offer a wide range of health benefits: they keep you full longer, help reduce your risk for certain cancers, prevent blood sugar spikes, lower cholesterol and improve your heart health. The easiest way to get enough prebiotics into your diet is by eating plenty of vegetables and fruit.

So if you are getting your five servings of vegetables and fruits every day, you are probably doing OK with prebiotics," says Williams. Artichokes are an excellent source of inulin, a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic. Additionally, artichokes provide other benefits , such as improving bone health, protecting your brain and supporting your blood pressure.

Dragon fruit isn't just a beautiful, brightly colored fruit but also provides health benefits , including gut-related ones. Dragon fruit is rich in fiber and is one of the best fruits to help relieve constipation.

Try including dragon fruit in a morning smoothie for a beautiful, delicious, gut-healthy treat. Garlic works overtime for gut health as a prebiotic, providing food for the good bacteria in your gut.

It also has antibacterial and antiviral properties that help support your immune system. There are tons of ways you can add garlic to your diet, from delicious melting potatoes to cozy casseroles. High in prebiotic fiber, mushrooms also contain several compounds that may have medicinal properties.

A study published in the Journal of Functional Foods indicates that consuming mushrooms may positively influence your blood sugar and help prevent gastrointestinal diseases and even some types of cancer.

Improving your gut health can begin with one of your favorite breakfasts. Oats are one of the best prebiotic foods to quickly impact your gut's health. Oats provide a balanced source of complex carbohydrates, plant-based protein and fiber, making them an excellent choice for gut health.

Like with probiotic yogurt, you'll want to limit oatmeal high in added sugars. Instead, look for plain instant oatmeal or use old-fashioned or steel-cut oats to make your own oatmeal and add fresh or dried fruit for added sweetness. Beans are often touted for their nutritional value.

They are a plant-based source of protein and provide complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Because of this nutrient mix, consuming beans, such as soybeans , may be one of the best ways to improve gut health with prebiotics.

Further, research published in Molecules noted that soybeans are one of the well-known sources of prebiotics, positively impacting your gut health. Knowing the foods to limit may be just as important as knowing which foods to include when it comes to your gut health.

Ultra-processed foods, artificial foods, added sugar, preservatives and additives can wreak havoc on your gut. Williams shares that both mental and physical stress are detrimental to your gut health, and that it's important to focus on managing stress in your life.

Further, studies, such as a review published in Frontiers in Nutrition , indicate that focusing on a healthy lifestyle by including moderate-intensity exercise and managing stress are also essential in promoting gut health.

To truly improve your gut health overnight and positively impact your overall health, focus on eating a diet rich in probiotic and prebiotic foods daily. Building consistent, daily practices to include these probiotic and prebiotic foods will make the most significant impact over time.

Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Processed foods , as well as alcohol , can also negatively impact gut health. Prebiotic and probiotic foods like whole grains , onions, garlic, fermented foods, miso and yogurt feed the good bacteria in your gut.

A diet rich with fiber and prebiotics ensures that the bacteria grows. An imbalance in gut bacteria can result in psychological symptoms, like brain fog and irritability. Anything from antibiotics to antidepressants can impact gut health.

Some medication can even wipe out some bacteria, leading to an imbalance. Eating a plant-based diet that includes fermented foods and fiber from colorful fruits and vegetables, having healthy sleep habits and managing stress levels are other ways to support a healthy gut.

If you want to adopt a healthier lifestyle, start easy with small diet changes and build from there. Taking a small step toward eating healthier can be as simple as eating seasonally. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are tastier and have more nutrients. Constipation, weight gain, diarrhea, bloating and gas are signs that something is off.

Some people have bad breath or skin irritation. You may notice these symptoms affecting your quality of life. The breakdown of nutrients continues in the stomach, and most of your nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. When should you see a doctor about gut issues? If your bowel habits have been abnormal for a few weeks to a month, talk to your doctor.

Patients undergoing cancer treatment should always tell their care team when they notice bowel changes or are experiencing rapid weight loss or gain.

Healthy bacteria already exist in your gut. But you have control over creating the environment for it to grow. Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling My Chart.

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Rich in fiber and plant-based molecules known as polyphenols, travel into your intestines where microbes use them for fuel. Foods that are rich in polyphenols, such as dark chocolate, have anti-inflammatory properties, decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels and decrease cellular stress.

What are some other foods to improve your gut that are rich in polyphenols? It never hurts to scatter on the garlic, turmeric, ginger, and other favorite delicious spices. These spices help to rid your gut of harmful bacteria. Research studies with animals have found artificial sweeteners to have a negative effect on the microbiome.

Rats given aspartame had increased blood sugars and were unable to use the insulin their bodies made properly.

Another human trial showed the same blood sugar increase. For gut health, it may be best to avoid artificial sweeteners altogether. Dan Buettner has traveled the world to identify the statistically happiest populations on earth.

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Research indicates that an imbalance in gut bacteria may be linked to fragmented sleep and short sleep duration, which may lead to chronic fatigue.

While the cause remains unclear , it appears to be connected to inflammation, metabolic function, and mental health. Skin conditions like psoriasis may be related to the types of bacteria present in the gut.

Many studies have found connections between the gut and the immune system. An unhealthy gut may increase systemic inflammation and alter the proper functioning of the immune system. This may lead to autoimmune diseases , where the body attacks itself mistaking its cells and organs for harmful invaders.

Food intolerances are the result of difficulty digesting certain foods. This is different than a food allergy , which is caused by an immune system reaction to certain foods.

Research indicates that food intolerances, like lactose intolerance, may be caused by poor quality of bacteria in the gut.

This can lead to trouble digesting the trigger foods and symptoms like:. There is also some research indicating that food allergies may be related to gut health. You may be able to improve and reset your gut health through lifestyle and diet changes.

Consider trying one or more of the following to improve your gut health naturally:. Chronic high levels of stress are hard on your whole body, including your gut. This is because your body releases certain hormones when it experiences stress.

High levels of these hormones affect your body and may compromise gut health. A few ways to lower stress may include:.

Not getting enough or sufficient quality of sleep may have serious impacts on your gut health, which can in turn contribute to more sleep issues. Try to prioritize getting at least 7—8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Your doctor may be able to help if you have trouble sleeping.

Chewing your food thoroughly and eating your meals more slowly may lower your chances of developing obesity and diabetes while also helping you make better food choices. Drinking plenty of water may be linked to increased diversity of bacteria in the gut, though the source of the water also matters.

One study also found that people who drank more water had less of a type of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infections. Staying hydrated benefits your health overall and can help prevent constipation. It may also be a simple way to promote a healthy gut.

While research is ongoing, adding a prebiotic or probiotic supplement to your diet may help improve your gut health.

People who have a severe illness or a weakened immune system should not take probiotics. Also, not all probiotic supplements are high quality or beneficial for your health. You can try eliminating common trigger foods to see if your symptoms improve. Reducing the amount of processed, sugary, and high fat foods that you eat may lead to better gut health.

Eating a diet high in fiber likely contributes to a healthy gut microbiome as well. You may also positively impact your gut by eating foods high in micronutrients called polyphenols present in:. Diet and gut health appear to be very closely linked. Avoiding processed foods, high fat foods, and foods high in refined sugars is likely important for maintaining a healthy microbiome, as these foods may promote the growth of damaging bacteria.

You can eat certain foods that actively promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, contributing to your overall health.

These superfoods for gut health include:. Research indicates that high fiber foods have a positive impact on gut health. These foods include:. According to a study in rodents, garlic may increase gut microbiome diversity and improve gut health. A small study of 49 people similarly found that aged garlic extract increased diversity and levels of beneficial bacteria.

Still, more research in humans should be done. Fermented foods are great dietary sources of probiotics. Examples include:. Research suggests that consuming these foods may improve the gut microbiome. Collagen-rich foods such as bone broth and salmon skin may be beneficial for both overall health and gut health.

A study indicated that supplements with collagen may benefit the gut microbiome in mice, though further research is needed. To help your body make collagen, try eating more:.

Each of these elements varies in different people, influencing their gut microbiomes in different ways. This variation results in individuals having unique gut microbiomes. According to one small study of 16 people, fasting was linked to lower levels of a bacteria that promotes colorectal cancer.

Research in animals also shows the benefits of fasting. A study in fruit flies found that intermittent fasting appeared to improve gut health and increase lifespan.

Another study in mice indicated that fasting promoted the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and reduced inflammation in the intestines. Some studies have found no impact of probiotics on the gut microbiome.

Still, other research suggests that probiotics may significantly affect the makeup of the gut microbiome and positively impact other areas of health, like immunity.

You can improve your gut health by taking steps to improve your overall health. This can include eating more fiber-rich foods, eating fewer ultra-processed foods, getting enough sleep, and managing your stress levels. Some signs of unbalanced gut bacteria can include upset stomach, unintentional weight changes, and fatigue.

The human gut is complex. While research is ongoing, it seems clear that the gut microbiome impacts whole-body health. A healthy gut contributes to:.

Lifestyle and dietary changes may positively affect not only your gut health but your overall health. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. MindBodyGreen provides third-party-tested supplements made with high quality ingredients. Many people run to the doctor for a prescription whenever they have a sniffle or sneeze, pressure the doctor for antibiotics, and often get their way.

Boxer says, explaining that they can eliminate or change existing populations of microorganisms. If antibiotics are a necessity, he recommends eating probiotic-rich foods , like kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, yogurt, and kombucha, or taking a probiotic supplement to help counter the damage the antibiotics might cause.

While there are hundreds of these supplements on the market, Dr. For the best advice, ask your doctor which over-the-counter probiotic they suggest, or if simply eating more probiotic foods will do the trick.

Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The interplay between the gut microbiome and the immune system in the context of infectious diseases throughout life and the role of nutrition in optimizing treatment strategies.

Isolauri E, Sherman PM, Walker WA eds : Intestinal microbiome: functional aspects in health and disease. Nestlé Nutr Inst Workshop Ser. Nestec Ltd. Karger AG Basel. Amy Myers, MD. Accessed April 4, Formato M, Piccolella S, Zidorn C, et al.

UHPLC-ESI-Q q TOF analysis and in vitro rumen fermentation for exploiting Fagus sylvatica leaf in ruminant diet. Dietary Guidelines for Americans Table A, Daily Nutritional Goals, Ages 2 and Older. Wastyk HC, Fragiadakis GK, Perelman D, et al. Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status.

Microbiota and sleep: awakening the gut feeling. Trends Mol Med. National Sleep Foundation. Sleep by the Numbers: Interesting Sleep Facts and Statistics That We Can Learn From. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

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