7 Foods That Are Harmful To Your Gut

Your gut plays a very important role in your health. Ultimately, they help your body absorb nutrients and remove waste products. However, some foods are harmful to your gut. We’ll tell you more about that in a moment!

First the next question: did you know that your gut also contains healthy bacteria? Millions of bacteria live in your gut. These are  necessary for proper digestion. This is because they make short work of certain substances that your body cannot digest itself.

They also help produce certain essential vitamins. As if this were not enough, they also give your body energy and strengthen your immune system.

The problem of foods that are harmful to your gut

The problem is that some bad eating habits keep your gut from doing its job properly. This can cause symptoms and illnesses that reduce the quality of your life.

Most worryingly, many  people don’t know which foods are harmful to your gut and why they can lead to negative side effects. 

That’s why we want to take the opportunity to share the 7 most harmful foods for your gut with you. We also tell you why you should try to avoid them. So read on soon!

1. Grains High in Gluten

While the fiber in certain whole grains can improve your gut function,  the gluten in refined grains can actually cause problems. In such a case, you probably have gluten intolerance.

Gluten’s proteins — called gliadin — aren’t fully digested. This can lead to  allergies and negative reactions. 

By eating too much of this,  you increase the risk of inflammation. It can also lead to other diseases, such as:

• (Pre-)diabetes;
• Arthritis;
• Alzheimer’s disease;
• Lupus;
• fibromyalgia;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Crohn’s disease.

2. Red meat

Eating red meat regularly  not only increases your risk of gout, but it can also damage  your body tissues and lead to inflammation.

These foods are harder to digest compared to white meats. Since it slows down digestion, it can also cause digestive problems such as:

• stomach infections;
• intestinal gas.

In addition, red meat changes the pH level of your gut. This lowers the  levels of good bacteria  and increases the  risk of inflammation. 

3. Fatty and fried food

Fried and fatty foods are addictive and can cause  metabolic and weight problems in the long term. 

In the short term,  they irritate your gut and increase the acidity in your stomach. This can cause problems such as heartburn.

People with irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis and other metabolic diseases should avoid these fried and fatty foods.

4. Dairy

Although dairy products provide nutrients your body needs, people who are lactose intolerant should avoid them.

Yes, they are tasty and used in many meals that you probably eat often. However, they have been proven to be responsible for many intestinal problems.

The fat, lactose and proteins in dairy products are harmful to your gut. They alter the microbial flora and make it difficult to remove waste products.

They are also associated with inflammation and  common problems such as constipation and diarrhea. 

5. Spicy food

Hot peppers give your food a special flavor and contain powerful antioxidants that protect your body from oxidative damage.

The problem is that eating this  can cause severe inflammatory reactions in your stomach and intestines. This is especially true for people who already have digestive problems. As a result, you will be more prone to heartburn and gastritis.

6. Coffee and soft drinks

Coffee and soda are  associated with heartburn and intestinal inflammation.

These drinks relax the esophageal sphincter, making it easier for stomach acid to reach your esophagus.

The high amounts of sugar and additives  also confuse the gut and sometimes cause diarrhea or severe abdominal pain. 

7. Canned and Processed Foods

Supermarkets are full of canned and processed foods. These are prepared in a way that many nutrients are lost.

Many people see this as a good, quick option because these foods taste good and are easy to prepare. However, what the manufacturer doesn’t want people to know is that these canned foods are low in essential nutrients.

These foods are rich in additives that are harmful to your gut as well as the rest of your body. Eating a lot of additives is thought to be linked to the development of metabolic problems, irritable bowel syndrome and various cancers.

Do you eat any of the foods described above? If so, try to reduce its consumption as much as possible to keep your gut healthy. Instead, try eating more organic foods. Think of fruit, vegetables and whole grain products.