Breakfast is rightly called the most important meal. What you do in the first few hours after waking up, from what you drink to what you eat, sets the stage for your energy, mood, and digestion all day long. Research has shown us that our gut health is connected to many different aspects, a major connection being gut-brain axis. Johns Hopkins Medicine explained that if you've ever trusted your "gut feeling" or felt butterflies when nervous, you were getting signals from a surprising source: your second brain. This "brain in your gut" is a huge network of nerves lining your digestive system. For a long time, doctors thought that stress, anxiety, or depression caused these gut issues. But new studies show the opposite is also true: irritation in the gut can send signals up to the main brain that trigger changes in mood. This may explain why so many people with chronic bowel problems also develop depression and anxiety. So, to protect your gut's health, one must follow a healthy routine. Top 10 Gut-Friendly Morning Habits Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a highly trained gastroenterologist, recently shared his top ten habits for a healthy gut. He urges everyone to rethink their routine and adopt these simple practices: Drink Warm Water First (Skip the Coffee Rush) Start your day with one of these. Ginger helps with digestion, stops you from feeling sick, and reduces bloating. Lemon water gives your stomach a gentle nudge to start breaking down food. Move Gently: Walk or Yoga Do some light activity like a simple walk or yoga. Gentle movement helps blood flow and encourages your bowels to move regularly, keeping your gut bacteria happy. Eat a High-Fibre Breakfast A fibre-rich breakfast is essential. It helps with digestion and acts as food for the good bacteria in your gut. Choose foods like oats, fruit, and chia seeds to fight inflammation and keep your gut strong. Always Add Protein Pair your fibre with protein. This keeps you full longer, balances your blood sugar, and supports the strength of your gut lining. Balanced blood sugar prevents issues that can cause gut inflammation. Stop Phone Scrolling While Eating Focus on your meal—this is mindful eating. Distraction makes you eat too fast and chew less, leading to gas and bloating. Being focused helps your body absorb nutrients. Sip Ginger Tea or Lemon Water Start your day with one of these for an added boost. Ginger helps with digestion, relieves nausea, and reduces bloating. Lemon water contains a mild acid that helps wake up your stomach and aids in food breakdown. Avoid Sugary Cereal Skip the sweet, fast cereals. Too much sugar feeds bad bacteria, causing inflammation. Pick whole-grain, low-sugar options like oats or muesli instead. Get Morning Sun Exposure Sunlight helps set your body's internal clock, which is connected to good digestion. Early morning sun supports healthy gut bacteria and boosts your immune system. Use Psyllium (If You're Constipated) A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse explained that Practitioners, Psyllium husk is a natural fiber that helps keep your bowel movements regular. Just remember to drink lots of water when you take it to avoid feeling bloated. Check Your Poop It sounds odd, but checking your stool daily is a simple way to monitor your digestion. Changes in color or texture can signal that you need more fiber or water. Healthy stool is usually soft and smooth.
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