Healthy Gut = Healthy Skin. 5 Foods to improve gut health

When it comes to glowing and clear skin, having a healthy gut microbiome could be the key to a gorgeous complexion. Your gut microbiome can impact the body inflammation response, which can trigger acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis and many other skin issues. A healthy gut equals healthy skin! 

There is a lot of research behind how the gut is connected to certain dermatological diseases. Some suggest that probiotics might have a key role in the treatment of eczema. Check out the research published on the World Journal of Dermatology to learn more. Having a healthy, balanced diet might be the best way to stay youthful and glowing! 

5 Foods To Improve Your Gut Health

1. Eat non-processed whole-foods:

You are what you eat, literally. Make sure to eat daily fresh, nutrient dense foods like fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Also, add apples, carrots, broccoli, asparagus to help protect and straighten the gut wall. These are highly anti-inflammatory foods that are full of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. These are all nutritional powerhouses to keep your gut lining healthy and your skin glowing. 

2. Eat fermented foods on a regular basis: 

What do fermented foods do for the gut health? Fermented foods increase the bioavailability of nutrients in food while also providing the gut with many beneficial probiotic bacteria, encouraging microbial diversity of the gut. 

Examples of fermented foods would be sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, tempeh, miso, sourdough bread and water kefir. 

3. Avoid foods that you are sensitive to:

It is always a good idea to do a good sensitivity test at home to find out what foods your gut might be most sensitive to. This may include sugar, gluten, highly processed foods, soy or unfermented dairy, but you could have other sensitivities or allergies not listed. 

I personally like the everlywell food sensitivity test, but there are many out there that work just fine. Knowledge is power, so it is important to know what foods might be causing a misalignment of your gut flora and avoid those foods for better gut health. 

4. Say 'NO" to refined carbohydrates:

What are refined carbs? These include refined grains that are stripped of all fiber, bran, and their nutrients, like sugar-rich foods, bread, pizza, white flour, white pasta and white rice and many breakfast cereals. 

Refined carbs are basically "empty" calories. They have no nutritional value and they lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels and contribute to an unbalanced microbiome in the gut. They are linked to chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, among many other health conditions. 

5. Eat a varied diet: 

Try not to eat the same whole-foods daily. Having a variety of whole-foods in your diet is also extremely healthy for your gut. Choose anti-inflammatory foods that are high in protein, like beans, lentils, tofu and seitan. Also, add plant-based milks and yogurts and healthy fats like avocados, oil oil, flaxseed oil and grapeseed oil. The higher variety of whole-foods you eat in a week, the healthier your gut lining will become. 

Last but not least, do not forget to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day! This will help your gut with mobility and also your skin. 

We hope these small tips will help bring health back to your gut and a glow back to your complexion. Try them out and share your thoughts below after you do!