Why A Healthy Gut Is The Route To Healthy Skin

The fact that your gut health is majorly responsible for how your skin looks might be difficult to digest (excuse the pun.) But it’s true that almost 80% of our body’s immunity lies in our gut, and how healthy we keep it is directly connected to our skin health as well as our overall health and mood. Have you noticed how a random acne pops up with your loo visits numbered? Or your skin looks dull and lack-luster when you’re not hydrated enough? It’s because our gut contains trillions of bacteria and microbes – called microbiome. These affect our entire body and mostly our skin. Which is why our skin is pretty much the first organ to exhibit any gut-related issues in the form of - breakouts, rashes, dryness, redness, dullness and haggard-looking skin that tends to form fine lines and wrinkles easily. 

Below we navigate 4 ways to keep the gut healthy so that your skin always stays healthy. 

1. Add pre and probiotics to your diet

Probiotics are basically good bacteria. When we consume them through foods and in the form of supplements, we’re supporting our gut healthy, immune system and wellbeing. Foods like yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, etc. encourage microbes to grow and improve gut health. 

Eating these foods along with prebiotics such as apples, banana, garlic, broccoli, lentils and beans help in populating good bacteria. What are prebiotics you ask? They are foods that help probiotics work efficiently. They are a type of fiber that act as food for good bacteria, thus helping them grow. 

2. Eat whole foods

Just like probiotics, eating whole foods also supports the growth of good bacteria. Whole foods are basically grains that are consumed in their natural form, with minimal to no human intervention. Foods that are not tainted or processed contain a whole lot of nutrition, fiber and antioxidants that improve gut health. Include foods like oats, wholegrain rice, kidney beans, chickpeas, fruits nuts and seeds. 

3. Maintain hydration levels

You do not have to chug water all day. But to drink enough water is so important! Keep a bottle on your desk, set water reminders or keep a goal of finishing a minimum of two liters of water every day – in any case, drink your water. Water helps flush out toxins and keeps the organs running smoothly. If you want your skin to look plump and dewy, you have to feed it water from inside out too! 

4. Keep gluten & dairy in check

If your skin is struggling with acne, then the first thing you must cut back is gluten and dairy products. This is because both these foods contain high amounts of proteins that can be difficult to digest. Plus, it is believed that the hormones in milk cause skin inflammation that can clog your pores and trigger acne. Stop consuming wheat, coffee or tea for at least 2 weeks and see how your skin reacts. 

More tips on keeping gut healthy 

• Always consume freshly cooked foods, because with time, the nutrients in food start depleting. Eating leftovers or stale food quite often can thus damage your gut health.
• Consume alkaline foods like green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, pepper bells, etc. 
• Eat your meals on time and avoid midnight snacking. Erratic meal timings can make your gut work extra hard to digest food. 
• Lemon juice is excellent for digestion. Form a habit of drinking a shot of lemon juice or nibbling on a lemon wedge after lunch and dinner. 
• Some herbs such as peppermint, fennel, chamomile, etc. are really great for the stomach. You may add these to your green tea to reap their benefits. 
• Move a bit. Leading a sedentary lifestyle can slow down metabolism and affect your digestion. Walk, jog, go to the gym or practice Yoga or play a sport, but include some activity in your day. 

Dietary and lifestyle tweaks can easily help reverse and improve bad gut health and give you healthy, glowing skin. 

Related Articles: 

What Does Self Care Mean In 2022? 

Does Sugar Make You Age Faster?

Is Drinking Coffee Bad For Your Skin?