Which Herbs Help Promote Gut Health?
There’s a lot of bacteria in your gut. Like, a lot.
To be specific …there's about 100 trillion of them, teeming with life, dotting the entirety of your digestive tract's surface area. Before you get too grossed out, know that a good majority of this bacteria is super-beneficial.
These ‘good’ bacteria help you absorb nutrients, support normal immune system functioning, and even lower your stress levels.
Unfortunately, ‘good’ bacteria can be overwhelmed with ‘bad’ bacteria – and an unbalanced gut microbiome spells pretty disastrous results for your health, including increased risk of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
You obviously wouldn’t want that.
But just how, exactly, would you go about nurturing this ecosystem of ‘good’ bacteria hanging out in your gastrointestinal tract? Nature holds the solution: herbs. Below, find three herbs that’ll support (and boost) your efforts at improving gut health.
#1 – Turmeric
Many scientists believe that digestive issues (e.g. acid reflux, inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), and stomach ulcers) stem from inflammation and oxidative stress – which encourage the proliferation of 'bad' bacteria while killing off 'good' bacteria.
Thus, it’s only natural for people to believe that turmeric would be the best herb to promote gut health. It contains curcumin, one of the most potent anti-inflammatory compounds available, after all.
But does research support this sentiment?
As it turns out, yes. Take, for instance, this 2019 study published in theInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences. In the review’s conclusion, the researchers went so far as to say that curcumin shows massive potential asa treatment option for various digestive tract issues!
#2 – Ginger
Similar to turmeric, ginger also contains a potent anti-inflammatory bioactive compound known as gingerol. As such, ginger can also help reduce oxidative stress in your gut – which, as mentioned earlier, plays a contributing role to many digestive issues.
In other words: ginger can make your gut a friendlier environment for ‘good’ bacteria.
And that’s not everything ginger can do for your gut health, either.Interestingly, ginger has also been shown to speed up the emptying of the stomach.
But wait. Why would you want that?
Well, that's because delayed emptying of the stomach into the small intestine is a major driver of indigestion.
So, by speeding up this emptying process, ginger can help reduce your risk of a slew of digestive issues, from heartburn to nausea and stomach discomfort to constipation.
#3 – Fenugreek
You probably already know of fenugreek’s more widely-talked-about health benefits (e.g. increased breast milk production in new mums, enhanced libido in men) … but did you know that this ancient traditional medicine can also help with gut health?
As for why, well, it's because it shares the same anti-inflammatory properties as the past two herbs mentioned.
More impressively, various studies have shown that fenugreek can directly alter intestinal microbial populations – and even reverse some of the key, unfavorable Western diet- (i.e. high-fat diet) induced changes to gut microbiota.
Besides, it doesn't hurt that fenugreek is also high in fiber, which serves as 'food' for the 'good' bacteria in your gut, essentially functioning as prebiotics, promoting the growth and population of these beneficial bacteria.
Searching for a convenient way to boost your gut health?
Let’s be honest. It’s nearly impossible for you to get enough of the above herbs through your diet alone to see any observable improvements in your gut health.
Imagine shaving ginger slices over your morning cereal – or your mains!
That’s where our high-quality herb powders and capsule filling machines (e.g. our best-seller, the CAPSULE-IT Capsule Filler) come in. Select your favorite herbs:
Then, fill hundreds of capsules quickly… and go right on to improving your gut health. Yep, it’s that simple and fuss-free. Promise.