How to Maintain Gut Health: Eat These 8 Foods.

The gastrointestinal tract is a part of the human digestive system, so it is very important for human health. Speaking of which, intestinal health is actually some simple yet very effective little tricks; a glass of water is enough to benefit you for a lifetime. More and more people are paying attention to drinking water, but few truly know how to drink it correctly. Drinking without regard to time, content, or thought... only proves that you are just drinking water, but not necessarily the right way. Besides water, there are other ways to cleanse the intestines, let's learn about them together.

Red Brown Rice and Lily Bulb Porridge

1. Brown Rice

Brown rice is rich in protein, fiber (twice that of white rice), minerals, iron, and vitamins B1, B2, and B3. It can effectively improve the human body's immunity, purify blood vessels, promote metabolism and blood circulation, aid digestion, and cleanse the intestines, providing a continuous source of energy for the gut. Studies show that long-term consumption of brown rice helps expel toxins from the body. In addition, it can balance blood sugar, prevent high uric acid, and prevent constipation and colon cancer.

2. Papaya

The papain and caricain in papaya can help break down fat, reducing the workload on the gastrointestinal tract. The pectin component in papaya also has the function of cleansing the intestines. However, papaya should be eaten 1-2 hours after a meal. Eating it immediately after a full meal will only increase the burden on the stomach.

3. Yogurt

In addition to being rich in calcium, yogurt can also regulate the bacterial balance in the intestines, purify the gastrointestinal tract, stimulate intestinal peristalsis, prevent constipation, and reduce the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases. However, it should be noted that yogurt drinks or lactic acid drinks are diluted beverages, and their effect is not as good as thicker yogurt.

4. Spinach

Spinach can clear heat and toxins from the human intestines, prevent constipation, and make people radiant. The insulin-like substance in spinach leaves can keep blood sugar stable. The rich vitamin content in spinach can prevent vitamin deficiency diseases such as angular stomatitis and night blindness. Spinach also contains a large number of antioxidants, which have anti-aging and cell proliferation effects. It can not only activate brain function but also enhance youthful vitality and prevent brain aging.

Boiled Peanuts

5. Wood Ear Mushroom

Wood ear mushroom has the effects of replenishing qi and activating blood, cooling blood and moistening. It can eliminate heat toxins from the blood. The plant gum in black wood ear mushroom has strong adsorption power, which can remove impurities remaining in the human digestive system and play a role in clearing the stomach and intestines. Black wood ear mushroom has a dissolving effect on hard-to-digest substances in the body such as grain husks, wood chips, sand, and metal shavings, and can also dissolve gallstones and kidney stones.

6. Kelp

TCM experts point out that kelp is an alkaline food, and the iodine it is rich in can promote the metabolism of triglycerides in the blood. Kelp contains a substance called fucoidan, which can remove cholesterol attached to the blood vessel walls and keep cholesterol at a normal level. The algin in kelp has a high water content and can form a gel-like substance in the intestine, which helps to expel toxins, prevent the human body from absorbing heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, and expel radioactive elements from the body. At the same time, it helps treat arteriosclerosis and can prevent constipation and colon cancer.

7. Apple

There is a foreign proverb: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Its most obvious effect on health is promoting intestinal detoxification—the galacturonic acid and pectin it contains reduce toxins in the intestines to a minimum; its soluble fiber effectively increases the excretion ability of stool, allowing you to say goodbye to a "pot belly" and ensuring normal intestinal circulation.

The apple skin contains many rich antioxidant active substances, which can slow down the aging of the intestines. Therefore, it is best to eat apples with the skin on!

8. Peanuts

Research shows that peanuts have a good effect on strengthening the intestines. This is because peanuts enter the spleen meridian and have the effects of nourishing the stomach, awakening the spleen, moistening the intestines, and relieving dryness. Moreover, its unique substances such as phytic acid and plant sterols will also increase the toughness of the intestines, continuously enhancing the ability to resist external interference.

Health experts point out that eating 5-6 boiled peanuts daily can strengthen the intestines. Because the nutrition of boiled peanuts is not destroyed, it is safe to eat and easy to absorb, making it the best choice for white-collar workers to "slim down" their intestinal age.