When we talk about theimportance of proper nutrition, we are not only referring to physical well-being, but also to mental well-being. In fact, eating in a healthy and balanced way directly affects the mental and physical well-being of our entire body.
That’s why supplementing foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics within our diet can help us improve our daily well-being while also acting on our mental state.
The importance of a happy gut
As many people now know, the probiotics are very important allies for the health of our gut, but not only that: it is on the proper functioning of the gut that the psychological and physical well-being of the entire body depends.
Until a few years ago thebowel used to be considered only the organ dedicated to nutrient absorption and waste elimination, but in recent years numerous studies have shown that the gut microbiota (i.e., the set of microorganisms in the intestine) can Also regulate the tone of our mood helping us keep anxiety and depression under control as well.
One example is theimportance of thegut-brain axis as a two-way communication pathway between the gut and the cognitive and emotional centers of the central nervous system (CNS). This thesis is not new because as early as the 4th century BC. Hippocrates argued that the origin of disease was always in the gut.
In fact, thegut activelyacts on:
- Production of vitamins, hormones and enzymes;
- counteracting the reabsorption of toxins, thus preventing the occurrence of possible infections;
- Contrast episodes of diarrhea and constipation by regulating peristalsis;
- Strengthening of immune defenses.
In the face of these factors, it is easy to understand how having a “happy gut” is important for keeping us all-around healthy.
The benefits of probiotics and prebiotics for the gut
To keep the gut healthy , it is important to carry out a number of daily actions such as approachingnutrition consciously, regular physical activity, and proper stress management. Three good practices to follow are:
- Reduce as much as possible the foods that are enemies of gut bacterial flora, which are those highest in refined sugars and carbohydrates, animal fats and chemical additives;
- regularly consume foods rich in probiotics, which are live organisms that carry important benefits for the body, such as yogurt, kefir, miso, kombucha and sauerkraut. Particularly during the most sensitive times of the year, such as seasonal changes, it is possible to supplement one’s diet with probiotics that help keep the gut, and consequently the entire body, in balance;
- include plant foods in the diet, such as mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus, broccoli and fennel, which are rich in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that stimulates the production of micro-molecules that affect the immune system, mind and even mood (fiber in general stimulates the growth of the good bacteria that make up the microbiota and therefore should never be lacking in our diet!).
Mindful eating, together with physical activity, concretely helps the gut stay healthy and consequently determines our mental and physical balance.
