According to Ayurveda, a staggering 90% of health issues originate from the gut. 

Resetting your gut health can eliminate the risk of numerous major health problems. A robust gut supports a strong immune system, maintains high energy levels, enhances cognitive ability, manages weight, and contributes to an overall healthy body.

Habit 1: Inadequate Physical Exercise:

Regular physical exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling, is crucial for maintaining gut health. Recent studies reveal that exercise not only brings miraculous health benefits but also positively influences gut bacteria. 

Whether you're new to exercise or a seasoned pro, starting small and gradually increasing the duration is beneficial. Lack of exercise may significantly impact microbiota and increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Habit 2. Cigarette Smoking:

The harmful effects of cigarette smoking are widely known. Environmental air pollution, exacerbated by industrialization, makes the air in metropolitan areas equivalent to smoking 10-12 cigarettes. Smoking increases the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), causing ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract. Quitting smoking can promptly increase gut floral diversity and reduce inflammation risk.

Habit 3: Insufficient Sleep:

Getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep is essential for overall well-being. Sleep deprivation disrupts the circadian rhythm, negatively affecting gut health. 

The gut microbiota follows this rhythm for core bodily processes like metabolism. Sleep disruption can lead to issues such as bloating, stomach pain, inflammation, and food sensitivities.

Habit 4: Taking Too Much Stress:

Beyond affecting mental health, excess stress reduces gut floral diversity, favoring harmful bacteria over beneficial ones like lactobacillus. 

tress contributes to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through the bidirectional gut-brain axis. Changes in the gut may influence brain activity, impacting mood.

Habit 5: Excessive Use of Hand Sanitizers:

Overuse of hand sanitizers can disturb the unique balance of bacterial colonies on and in the body. While hand sanitizers eliminate harmful microbes, they also alter beneficial ones. Using them frequently can reduce the number of beneficial microbes. Hand sanitizers should be used sparingly and only when necessary.

Conclusion:

Avoiding these five habits can significantly enhance gut health, leading to a healthier and more resilient body.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vinita Contractor, the author of this article, is a Holistic Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach with a track record of helping over 5000+ people achieve better health through food and lifestyle changes. As a Culinary Wellness Specialist and expert in Ayurveda Diet, she invites you to join her online course at Wellcure to eat better for your gut health and build healthy eating habits: Healthy Vegan Indian Cooking.