What is Gut Health? How Do We Get a Healthy Gut
What Exactly Is Gut Health?
It’s 2025, and “gut health” seems to be everywhere you look. You might already know where your gut is, but you could still be wondering what makes it healthy—or unhealthy. Well, you’re not alone. Gut health can feel like drinking from a fire hose of information. But it doesn’t have to be that way! That’s why we’re here to clarify what gut health really means, explore how to nurture a healthy gut, and figure out if it’s truly as important as everyone says.
Getting Personal- Why I Had to Heal My Gut
Let’s start by addressing the big question: Is gut health really that important? In my experience, the short answer is yes. My name is Kenz, and I’m a 25-year-old who loves living life to the fullest. Growing up, my two loving parents taught me how to care for my body, but despite this, I was always getting sick, suffering from severe anxiety, and dealing with what seemed like an endless list of food sensitivities.
As I got older, things escalated, and I often found myself in the hospital for my debilitating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Back then, I would bloat at the mere thought of food and couldn’t imagine a way out. That all changed when I discovered gut health and realized how a healthier gut directly correlated to a happier, more energetic me. Today, I can confidently say that healing my gut has transformed my life: my bloating is practically gone, I have more energy than ever, my acne has significantly improved, and my overall quality of life has skyrocketed.
The Gut Microbiome: Your Body’s Hidden Powerhouse
It all sounds wonderful, but what exactly is a “healthy gut,” and how do we achieve one? When people talk about having a healthy gut, they’re referring to the state of the gut microbiome—the community of bacteria (both beneficial and harmful) that live in our digestive tract. Research shows these bacteria influence our mood, energy, immune function, and digestion. How?
- Your Second Brain: The gut contains roughly as many neurons as the spinal cord.
- Serotonin Production: About 90% of your body’s serotonin (a key neurotransmitter for mood) is produced in the gut.
- The Gut-Brain Axis: There is a direct line of communication between your gut and your brain, often called the gut-brain axis. When the gut is imbalanced, mood, energy, and even cognitive function can all be affected.
For further reading, check out studies on the gut-brain axis in reputable journals like Nature Microbiology and Gastroenterology.
How to Keep Your Gut Healthy
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for optimal gut health, but there’s a simple formula I live by:
Balanced Whole-Food Diet + Meaningful Movement + Prioritizing Mental Health
When your gut is happy, you’re happy—especially considering how much serotonin is produced there!
1. A Balanced Whole-Food Diet
When I say a balanced diet, I’m talking about incorporating foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics, as well as getting enough protein, fiber, and quality carbohydrates. Prebiotics act as “fuel” for beneficial gut bacteria, while probiotics are the actual live beneficial bacteria that support digestion and immunity.
- Prebiotic Foods: Garlic, onions, chickpeas, oats, bananas, and more.
- Probiotic Foods: Yogurt with live cultures, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, and fermented cottage cheese.
It’s not only what you eat but also how it’s prepared. For example, while cottage cheese is a good source of protein, fermented cottage cheese offers extra probiotics that boost digestion. That’s why we ferment the oats in our gut-friendly granola and add chickpeas that are soaked and slowly cooked, ensuring maximum nutrient availability.
2. Meaningful Movement
Activities like walking, yoga, and other forms of gentle exercise don’t just help you stay fit—they also promote healthy digestion and reduce stress. High stress levels increase inflammation and can disrupt the gut microbiome (leading to more bloating or digestive discomfort). Choose movement you enjoy, so it easily becomes part of your daily routine.
3. Prioritizing Mental Health
Can stress really affect the gut? Absolutely! According to research from the American Psychological Association (APA), stress, anxiety, and depression can alter your gut’s bacterial composition. This can create a vicious cycle: poor gut health leads to increased stress, which further affects the gut.
Incorporate stress-management practices like mindfulness, meditation, therapy, journaling, or even a calming walk outdoors. Your gut—and your entire body—will thank you.
What Makes Food “Gut Healthy”?
- Fermentation: Using fermented ingredients (like fermented oats) provides beneficial probiotics.
- Soaking/Sprouting: This process reduces compounds that hamper digestion, making nutrients more bioavailable.
- Probiotic + Prebiotic Combo: Pairing foods containing live probiotic strains with those rich in prebiotic fiber helps your microbiome flourish.
Ready to Nourish Your Gut?
If you want to effortlessly add more prebiotics and probiotics to your day, try our gut-friendly granola made with fermented oats and gently cooked chickpeas. It’s crunchy, delicious, and loaded with the nutrients your gut craves for optimal digestion. You’ll feel more energized, clear-headed, and far less bloated.
Want to learn more?
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Remember, small, consistent changes often lead to the biggest transformations. By balancing your diet, moving regularly, and nurturing your mental health, you can cultivate a healthier, happier gut—no matter where you’re starting. Because when your gut thrives, you do too!