Is Your Gut Health Hurting Your Weight?

If you’re familiar with the health and wellness world, chances are you’ve heard about gut health at some point. But why is gut health so important and what part does it play in maintaining a healthy weight?

Why is Gut Health Important?

It was Hippocrates who said, “all disease begins in the gut.” Scientific research has shown that he was onto something all of those years ago as more and more studies keep coming out about the importance of gut health.[1] The gut, also known as the gut microbiome, contains trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.[2] Believe it or not, not all bacteria are bad. Sure, some bacteria are associated with disease, but others are extremely important for the proper and optimal function of your immune system, heart, and yes, even the body’s ability to maintain a healthy weight.

In fact, your microbiome has been growing and developing since birth. From digesting breast milk [3,4,5] and fiber [6,7,8], to maintaining a strong immune system [9,10], brain health [11], and optimal weight [12].

How Can The Gut Microbiome Affect Your Weight?

Unfortunately, when the bacteria in your gut is out of balance, it can lead to a domino effect of a number of other issues including fatigue, bloating, depression, and even weight gain. This is sometimes called dysbiosis.[13]

There have actually been several studies that have looked at identical twins to show just how easily health can be manipulated by the gut. One study in particular had identical twins with different physiological states, one was lean, the other obese. The study revealed that even between identical twins there can be huge differences in how the gut microbiota influences the efficiency of calorie harvest from a diet, and how this harvested energy is used and stored. This information offers insight that gut health is not genetic.[14]

A Healthy and Balanced Gut

If you’re feeling as if your gut isn’t doing its job, it might be due to your diet. In her book, “Brain Body Diet,” Sara Gottfried notes that “a change in the food you eat alters the activity of the gut microbiota rapidly, within one to four days, and in some genes within six hours.” That’s extremely fast. This could either be a negative change if you’re consuming a lot of sugar, or improvement if you’re eating foods that benefit your gut and are rich in probiotics.

So what are some foods that you should avoid in order to improve your gut health?

Foods That Hurt Your Gut and Weight

Foods That Are High in Sugar

A diet that contains a lot of sugar can increase the number of unhealthy bacteria in the gut which could end up contributing to chronic disease or weight gain.[15] Check the ingredients list in breads, sauces, and condiments and keep your daily intake to a minimum. Some of these foods include soft drinks, baked goods, candies, and other foods that contain the ingredients below.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, and xylitol) found in soft drinks and sodas can reduce the “good” bacteria in the intestines, which can lead to blood sugar issues.[16]

Unhealthy Fats

When it comes to fats, make sure you’re eating the right ones. Healthy fats such as omega-3s (found in salmon and avocado, for example) are extremely beneficial to a healthy gut microbiome.

Now that you know what foods to avoid for your gut health, which foods should you be eating to improve your gut health and maintain an optimal weight?

Foods That Heal Your Gut And Promote Healthy Weight

You might be thinking, how do I improve my gut health?

Whole Grains

Whole grains can improve gut health as they’ve yet to be commercially refined and they’re also extremely high in fiber. Foods such as Ezekiel bread, sweet potatoes, and different types of seeds are abundant in fiber. Fiber is key when it comes to gut health because it is digested by gut bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and may help improve healthy weight management.[17] 

Fruits and Vegetables 

Fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, blueberries, kale, and spinach also contain fiber that is excellent for gut bacteria. Making sure you’re getting plenty of plants in your diet can improve the variety of bacteria found in your gut. Why does this matter? Well, the more variety of gut microbiota you have, the better. The variety may aid in better health and, in turn, reduce your risk of disease.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds such as chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and more also contain lots of fiber and healthy fats that help support the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.[18]

Fermented Foods

What are fermented foods, anyways? Fermented foods are foods such as yogurt, kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, and our infusions. These foods contain beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli.[19] Apple cider vinegar is known to be an antioxidative, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-tumor, anti-obesity, anti-hypertensive, and a cholesterol-lowering powerhouse of a supplement. 

The fermentation process is so important as it uses microbes, such as bacteria and yeast, to preserve foods. These beneficial microorganisms eat sugars and can support gut health by restoring the balance of “good” bacteria in your gut. In addition to helping maintain a healthy weight, this process also promotes digestive health.[20]

How Can Moringa Vinga Help?

Moringa Vinga was created to show that something as easy as taking one ounce a day of our functional infusions can have a serious impact on improving and promoting your gut health. Our two-month long fermentation process adds another component to unlocking the properties of our thoughtfully selected ingredients and increases how your body absorbs and uses them. 

In addition to being a naturally healthy prebiotic that promotes a healthy gut, each infusion is crafted to bring optimal health & wellness to your daily practice.

• Easy way to increase your intake of nutritious superfoods

• Promotes body alkalinity, metabolism, digestion 

• Contains over 18 amino acids, 46 antioxidants, and 92 nutrients

• Only superfood ingredients with zero compromises

• 1 ounce = your daily serving of moringa, apple cider vinegar, raw honey and a handful of functional herbs, flowers, and berries 

So what are you waiting for? According to the research we’ve shown you, it only takes one to four days of eating right to change your gut microbiome. Upgrade your gut health and empower your gut army with everything it needs to do all the heavy lifting! Your body will thank you.

 

 

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682904/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3983973/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4990546/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22606315/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3671919/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705355/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26762459/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4756104/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27231050/
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28260787/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22968153/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5867888/
13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26912499/
14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19043404/
15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28199845/
16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25231862/
17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22983848/
18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24642201/
19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27998788/
20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22529959/