Your colon is 5 feet long, but, as large as it is, we tend to give it very little of our attention until it has a problem. Our colons play such an important part in our daily life and because of this, we shouldn’t ignore them.
These 7 ways collected by Bright Side will keep your large intestine clean and healthy.
1. Add Vitamin C to your diet.
Vitamin C, found in lots of fruits and vegetables, may help cleanse the colon, according to a study in 2015. Drink kale, broccoli, strawberry, and lemon smoothies for your colon and overall health.
2. Make use of probiotics, the friendly bacteria that protects your colon.
Research suggests that probiotics may help prevent and possibly treat colon cancer. These “good bacteria” stop inflammation and improve bowel movement consistency, 2 parts of digestive health that are related to the colon. High levels of probiotics are found in fermented foods like Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, kimchi, miso, kombucha, and some types of cheese.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
3. Add more resistant starches to your diet.
Resistant starches, found in plant foods like potatoes, rice, legumes, green bananas, and grains, promote a healthy colon by increasing gut microflora. Also, a 2013 review on resistant starches determined that they reduce the risk for colon cancer.
4. Drink more water to regulate digestion.
Low fluid intake is a common cause of constipation. So drinking 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily can prevent this. Another way to help meet your fluid intake needs is to include fruits and vegetables that have a high water content, like cucumber, zucchini, celery, tomatoes, melon, and strawberries.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
5. Make sure to eat plenty of high-fiber foods.
Investigations have linked a high intake of fiber-rich foods with a reduced risk of colon cancer. Besides, high-fiber meals feed the “good” bacteria in the intestine that help reduce gut inflammation and improve digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Some high-fiber foods that could make your colon happy are raspberries, green peas, broccoli, lentils, beans, and whole grains.
6. Herbal teas may help digestive health via the colon.
Herbal teas are said to be beneficial for cleansing your colon. According to an investigation conducted by Australian researchers, there is a connection between herbal tea consumption and a lower risk of colon cancer. Laxative herbs like psyllium, aloe vera, and marshmallow root may help with constipation, but make sure to talk to your doctor before using these herbs, since they can sometimes be harmful.
7. Try a saltwater flush.
A 2010 study proved that saltwater cleanses the colon when paired with certain yoga poses. Try this: every morning, before breakfast, mix 2 teaspoons of sea salt/Himalayan salt in a glass of lukewarm water. Drink it quickly and repeat the process in the evening as well.
Have you tried any of these methods? What else do you do to cleanse your colon? Share with us in the comments below!
Illustrated by Daniil Shubin and Leonid Khan for Bright Side
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.