Here Are The Foods & Spices That Support Your Gut Health and Boost Your Immune System This Fall

Your gut is home to millions of tiny bacteria, and believe it or not, many of these bacteria are good for you! They help your body digest food, keep harmful bacteria away, and support your immune system. A healthy gut can help you stay strong and fight off illnesses. The good news is that some foods can help keep your gut healthy and your immune system strong. Let’s explore some of the best foods and spices for this!

1. Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the best foods for your gut. It contains probiotics, which are friendly bacteria that can improve your digestion. These probiotics help your body balance the good and bad bacteria in your stomach, keeping your gut healthy. Look for yogurts that say "live and active cultures" on the label, and choose plain yogurt to avoid too much added sugar.

2. Bananas
Bananas are great for your gut because they are rich in fiber. Fiber helps keep your digestive system running smoothly and supports the growth of good bacteria. Bananas are also easy to digest and contain vitamins like vitamin C, which is good for your immune system.

3. Garlic
Garlic may add a strong flavor to your food, but it’s also a powerful food for your gut and immune system. It has prebiotics, which feed the good bacteria in your gut, helping them grow and work better. Garlic is also known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, which help your immune system fight infections.

4. Leafy Greens
Vegetables like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are packed with nutrients that support your gut and immune system. They are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Leafy greens also help promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your digestive system, helping it run smoothly.

5. Ginger
Ginger is known for soothing upset stomachs, but it does much more than that. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling in your gut, making it easier for your body to digest food. It can also help boost your immune system by fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses.

6. Berries
Berries, like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, are packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect your body from harmful substances that can weaken your immune system. Berries are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy.

7. Fermented Foods
Foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles are fermented, meaning they have been made with the help of bacteria. These foods are rich in probiotics, which are the good bacteria your gut needs to stay healthy. Eating fermented foods can help your gut balance itself and improve your digestion.

8. Coconut Oil

Cook with coconut oil or just eat it with a spoon (3 tablespoons by mouth per day to kill pathogens naturally). It has lauric and caprylic acids, which are fatty acids that are remarkable at killing of harmful yeast and bacteria while restoring your stomach’s acidity levels.

9. Cloves and Cinnamon

By cooking with each of these spices or adding them to a drink you are naturally killing microbes that are wreaking havoc on your system.

10. Turmeric

Contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Most studies used turmeric extracts that are standardized to include large amounts of curcumin.

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

Helps your body create HCL (hydrochloric acid), which is a beneficial belly acid that helps digest fats, carbohydrates, and protein.

Conclusion
Eating a variety of these foods can help support your gut health and boost your immune system. By adding yogurt, bananas, garlic, leafy greens, ginger, berries, fermented foods, and oats to your diet, you’re giving your body the tools it needs to stay healthy and strong. A happy gut means a stronger immune system, and that helps protect you from getting sick!