Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Boost Your Gut Health

Your gut is more than a digestion aid. It’s a powerful system that impacts how you feel both physically and mentally. Simply put, when your gut health is functioning well, you feel your best: Your energy is steady, you sleep well, your mind’s clear, and your mood positive. 

When it’s not, you might feel bloated and sluggish, your immunity and mood may suffer, and you might even experience persistent abdominal pain. Gut inflammation causes such negative experiences. Modern life contributes heavily to gut inflammation due to stress, poor diet, and excessive antibiotic use. 

Gut inflammation can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis, and other chronic conditions. If you experience these symptoms, Sergio Alvarado, MD, and our expert team at Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio in San Antonio and Live Oak, Texas, can help you pinpoint the source — and attain lasting relief.

Best anti-inflammatory foods for gut health 

To start improving gut health on your own, try incorporating wholesome, anti-inflammatory foods into your diet. Here’s what we recommend:

Probiotics 

Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha support your gut because they contain probiotics, which are live microorganisms that actively soothe your gut and restore balance. They also contribute to gut microbiome diversity. Different bacteria types contribute to different gut functions, so diversity is key.

Dietary fiber 

Dietary fiber helps keep your digestive tract “regular.” Fibrous foods include leafy greens, legumes, fruits, and veggies. Fibrous foods “feed” good gut bacteria and support digestion. 

Omega-3 fatty acids 

Salmon, sardines, and walnuts contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation throughout the body. They also strengthen your intestinal barrier, helping prevent a condition known as “leaky gut.” Omega-3s support increased gut microbiome diversity, too. 

Antioxidants 

Berries, turmeric, chia seeds, green tea, and — good news — dark chocolate are rich in cell-protecting antioxidants, which reduce inflammation by combating free radicals. 

While some free radicals in the body are normal, having too many free radicals can increase the chances of sustaining the kind of cellular damage that contributes to chronic disease. 

Bone broth and collagen 

Bone broth, collagen, and plain gelatin soothe your gut and digestive system. Like omega-3s, they also repair a leaky gut. As you age, your body produces less collagen, which is a key building block in your skin’s elasticity. 

Your stomach lining is made of connective tissue, and by including collagen boosters, you improve overall skin and connective tissue health, including your stomach lining. 

Expert care for persistent abdominal pain

If you don’t already eat healthy anti-inflammatory foods daily, your body and mind will benefit from incorporating them into your diet. In addition to adding soothing, anti-inflammatory foods to your diet, finding ways to manage your stress will also aid your gut health. A regular exercise routine, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest can all work to keep you healthy. 

If you’re ready to get to the bottom of unexplained abdominal pain, we can help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio office in Live Oak or San Antonio, Texas, today.