We’re noticing a major uptick in interest in foods and drinks focused on supporting gut health—interest in topics like gastrointestinal health grew 60% this year compared to last year—so we’re fully expecting that fermented foods and probiotic- and prebiotic-rich ingredients will be a primary focus for the year to come.
Isabel Leyva, registered dietician at Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County, says "Our gut is like our second brain. I have heard some gastroenterologists say our gut is our first brain because it can control how we feel. For example, when we get “hangry.” It goes deeper than that”.
Our mental health is correlated to our gut health. Results from the California Health Interview Survey (2005-2015) data showed that individuals with moderate to severe psychological stress had habits of eating less fruits and vegetables and an increased consumption of French fries, soda, and fast food.
We have something called a gut microbiome. “The ratio of bacteria in your gut can tell us the composition of your diet and in turn depicts healthy outcomes”, explains Isabel. Having a healthy gut can help prevent chronic illnesses and inflammation. What we eat feeds us and our gut microbiome. Isabel says, “To nourish our gut biome, we need to eat non starchy veggies or fermentable dietary fiber, fruits, legumes, probiotics, prebiotics.” Once we have incorporated as many gut microbiome-feeding foods into our diets, soon you will notice how your body will crave certain foods.
A high fiber diet can not only aid in good gut health but also prevent illnesses and help you feel happier. Fiber is essential because certain fibers lend themselves for fermentability, this feeds what we would call a healthier bacterium in our gut. For example, the Mediterranean diet (a type of high fiber diet) has been associated with improved cardiovascular health and reductions in the risk of metabolic syndrome, neurogenerative disorders, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to learn more about improving your gut health.
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About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.