Maintaining a healthy gut is crucial for digestion, immunity, and general health. Your diet is a significant factor in maintaining the health and balance of your digestive system. In a recent Instagram post, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist who received his training at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford universities, rated popular foods that promote gut health and support good digestion. Let's have a peek:

Foods that are fermented (10)

Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut, which are high in probiotics, a healthy bacteria that helps maintain a balanced gut microbiome, top the list.

A few bananas with a light green hue (7)

These bananas contain a lot of resistant starch, a prebiotic fiber that nourishes the healthy bacteria in your stomach. It may aid in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and a healthy gut lining. Bananas that are just a little green are better for the stomach than their ripe counterparts.

Oats (6)

Oats are an excellent source of soluble fiber, which helps maintain the healthy functioning of your digestive tract. By feeding beneficial gut bacteria and encouraging regular bowel motions, fiber lowers the chance of inflammation and constipation.

Bananas that are ripe (3)

Even though ripe bananas are still healthy, they have less resistant starch and provide vital nutrients and some fiber. Although they have less benefits for the gut than green bananas, they are easy on the stomach and can help relieve digestive problems.

Two slices of white bread

Compared to whole grain options, white bread is less nutritious and fiber-dense. Since it doesn't provide much help for digestive health and can occasionally raise blood sugar levels, it's not the best option for keeping a balanced gut.

Bacon (-10)

The excessive saturated fat and preservatives in bacon, which are at the bottom of the list, can have a detrimental impact on the gut microbiome. When eaten often, processed meats like bacon can be harmful to gut health since they can cause inflammation and upset digestion.

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