While digestive enzyme supplements are a great way to support general digestion on a day-to-day basis, many people have been turning to other health-forward activities to support their digestive health! Curating the proper digestive routine requires trial and error. What works for one person, might not work for the next person; which is why it is crucial to understand the different trends you might see passing through social media networks. Today, we are going to break down a couple of the different activities people are turning to in hopes of boosting their health.
What is a Candida Cleanse and Why Are People Choosing to Participate?
Fatigue, digestive disruption, and brain fog are extremely common symptoms that could be tied to a variety of health complications; however, recently people have connected these symptoms with an overgrowth of the fungus called candida. Candida is a fungus that can become overpopulated in the body and start to cause complications. This condition is also referred to as yeast syndrome.
In order to potentially alleviate these symptoms, people have considered doing a candida cleanse. A candida cleanse means you remove certain foods from your diet that can cause the candida overgrowth such as white flour, cheese, and yeast. While candida is commonly found in the digestive tract, it is the development of an overwhelming around in the digestive tract that can cause issues or negatively contribute to preexisting conditions.
This being said, there is no solid proof that participating in a candida cleanse diet will truly remove an overgrowth of this fungus from your body. The reason many people might find that participating in this diet is helpful in reducing unwelcome symptoms is because of the many unhealthy foods associated with these ingredients.
For example, the foods high in sugar and white flour are also the foods that tend to be processed or filled with unhealthy fats. The elimination of these factors from your diet could be the key to helping your symptoms – not necessarily the reduction in yeast. In conclusion, a candida cleanse might be helpful in giving your body a break from harmful symptoms but is not a solution to a potential candida overgrowth in the body.
Water and Food Before Caffeine: Is This The Key to Digestive Happiness?
A caffeinated drink is a popular choice for a morning beverage, but is it the first thing you reach for in the mornings? Recently, people are emphasizing their choice to eat food and hydrate before reaching for that cup of coffee, but does this make a difference and if so, what does it do for your body?
Well, when we wake up our bodies tend to be dehydrated due to the prolonged period of time without fluids. By choosing to consume coffee before anything else, you are actively choosing to further exacerbate symptoms of dehydration. Coffee first thing in the morning can also disrupt your body’s natural energy levels and can even make the caffeine less effective than if you were to wait. This is because your body naturally produces the energizing hormone called cortisol. Allow the cortisol to work its magic while you focus on water and nutrients before caffeine.
Drinking water first thing in the morning does more than just rehydrate your body! Water on an empty stomach can kickstart your metabolism, give you a boost of energy, hellp reduce the chances of experiencing constipation, and can support your immunity levels. It can be a great way to give your body a small reset before the day ahead. It is also a great way to put your best foot forward in staying hydrated for the rest of the day. The rituals we practice in the morning help to set us up for success.
In a similar fashion, eating before consuming caffeine is a great way to optimize your energy levels and work towards a stable mood. Drinking caffeinated beverages before eating means that your body is absorbing the caffeine at a quicker pace which can contribute to unwelcome side effects such as anxiousness and irritability. The caffeine can also create an imbalance in your digestive tract and cause unwelcome symptoms before the day has even begun. Give your body the nutrients and energy it needs through food before searching for it in caffeine. Take note of the change in energy stabilization throughout your day after making this change.
Sunlight Stabilization and Its Many Health Benefits
Sunlight stabilization is the last gut health trend we want to highlight. Despite our desire to look for digestive solutions in our cabinets and phones, sometimes the simplest answers are right in front of our eyes. Exposure to the sun is a great way to promote proper digestion and to minimize many unwelcome health complications that can further contribute to poor digestive health.
Sitting in the sun helps your body naturally produce vitamin D – an essential nutrient known for its beneficial impact on one’s skin, bone, and overall health. Since vitamin D cannot be derived from only one’s diet, it is crucial to take it where you can find it. Sunlight is also beneficial in boosting one’s mood which can also be directly linked to our digestive health. When we feel low and sad, the rest of the processes in our body will respond in a similar fashion. Find ways to expose yourself to the sun’s natural ways and take note of how your mood switches.
As we head into the final months of the year, it can be easy to get lost in the responsibilities of day-to-day life that we forget to take a moment and breathe in the fresh air. Take advantage of sunlight stabilization and the many benefits that the outdoors have to offer. If you find yourself struggling to make the time, consider dedicating your work breaks to sitting outside.
All in all, digestive health is a journey that requires awareness of one’s needs and vulnerabilities. We hope we have inspired you to tap into some new ways to take care of yourself this coming week!