5 foods to eat to improve your gut health, according to a dietitian

Yogurt

Yogurt is loaded with live and active cultures, which add good bacteria to your gut. These probiotics, which are live microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast, can significantly improve your health by aiding in digestion

Garlic

Before you can benefit from probiotics, you need prebiotics. Prebiotics are dietary fibers that, essentially, serve as food for the good bacteria in your gut.

Jerusalem artichokes

Not only are Jerusalem artichokes high in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that stimulates the growth of health-promoting gut bacteria, research also shows they are rich in polyphenols — a group of compounds found in plant foods

Pulses

Among the most nutritious foods, pulses — think beans, lentils and chickpeas — seem to have it all: They’re packed with prebiotic fiber, protein, antioxidants and polyphenols. The soluble fiber in pulses is good for health-promoting gut bacteria

Oats

Oats are incredible for gut health. They’re packed with beta-glucan, another type of soluble fiber that acts as a prebiotic and helps make short-chain fatty acids. Research links beta-glucan with reducing inflammation

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