Welcome back! We have yet another blog filled with all the latest gut health trends and whether or not they should be added to your weekly to-do list. Due to the rise in popularity of the social media platform named TikTok, and the overall rise in awareness of gut health, there have been a number of different recommendations that have surfaced about how best to manage your gut health. While some definitely have some merit to them, you might find yourself quite skeptical of others. Today, we are going to break down three digestive health trends that have been circulating the general public.
The Claim That L-Glutamine Can Eliminate Bloating
There are a number of different people out there who are claiming that adding the amino acid named l-glutamine can work to eliminate their digestive ailments. First, let's start by breaking down just what l-glutamine is exactly. This amino acid is a main pillar of creating a healthy immune system in our bodies, but it is not considered an essential amino acid, because your body can create l-glutamine on its own. This being said, there are some cases in which l-glutamine supplements or the inclusion of l-glutamine filled foods in your diet is recommended. These cases include people who are severely ill, struggling with the strength of their immune system, and/or are recently recovering from an injury.
L-glutamine is recommended at these times of need, because it is known to decrease periods of recovery time, and can be beneficial in strengthening your immunity levels. In the past, it has also been used by people in the fitness world who claim that it helps to promote muscle building, but this claim has yet to be scientifically backed up.
This being said, a weak immune system can definitely be damaging to your digestive process, as all the processes within our body are connected. Other digestive issues that can weaken the immune system such as IBS or what is considered a weak intestinal lining, might also benefit from the use of L-glutamine. L-glutamine is one of the ways that your digestive tract can gain energy, and if your gut is detrimentally damaged for one reason or another, a boost in your l-glutamine consumption can help to heal these ailments.
However, as always it is important to speak to your doctor prior to implementing any sort of extra supplement into your routine, especially one that is not necessarily considered essential.
Detox Shots and Whether or Not They Should Be In Your Meal Planning
Detox shots or ‘wellness shots’, have been circulating the internet for quite some time now, and with a variety of different recipes to choose from. However, whether or not these drinks really work have yet to be backed up by scientific evidence.
Detox shots tend to be filled with nutrient-dense ingredients, and claim to improve a host of issues including digestive ailments, immunity problems, and so forth. The appeal to detox shots are that they come in small packaging, and seem to be a quick way to get your boost of support in for the day.
The ingredients normally put into detox shots do tend to have beneficial health properties including ingredients such as ginger, lemon, apple cider vinegar, and chamomile. While all of these ingredients independently have their own benefits to your overall health, there is no scientifically backed up claim that mixing them adds any benefits to your health.
So while including these ingredients into your diet can be a great way to boost both your digestive system and immune system, they do not necessarily need to be taken in the form of a shot. However, if you find that taking it in the form of a shot creates more of a consistency in your routine, it can be a great way to boost your health. It is just important to remember that it is not necessarily the form of the nutrients, but rather the nutrients individually that are working to support you. It is also important to remember that a detox shot should not be considered your only form of health support throughout your day, and that it should not replace any of your main meals for consumption.
Another reason why taking it in the form of a shot can be beneficial is, because you can formulate your own shot to tailor it to your individual health needs.
Drinking Over A Gallon Of Water A Day
While there is an extensive list as to why you should be staying hydrated and staying consistent with drinking water throughout the day, there are some potentially damaging effects to your body if you are drinking too much water. There have been a number of people on social media platforms claiming to drink over a gallon of water a day in order to live a ‘healthy lifestyle’. However, this is not necessarily true for everyone. The fact that we are different in terms of weight and size means that we all need different amounts of nutrients daily. This also includes the levels of water we consume.
Drinking too much water can lead to less stomach acid in your system and it can slow your digestive process. Stomach acid is essential in helping your body break down the foods you consume, and if there is a decrease in stomach acid it can be quite detrimental to the overall process. Drinking too much water can also cause an imbalance in your electrolyte levels. Making sure your electrolyte levels are intact is just as important as staying hydrated. As always, moderation is key and learning what is best for your body specifically is incredibly important.
Overall, there are a number of different claims out there in the social media world as to what you should and should not be doing to create a healthy digestive system. Researching and understanding your own body is especially important when considering adding any new practice into your routine. Be sure to check back later on this month for more updates on the latest gut health trends.