These Are The 5 Absolute Worst Foods for a Healthy Gut Microbiome

The balance of good and bad microorganisms in your gut, or your gut microbiome, is crucial for your health. When this balance is lost, it can affect your immune system, your brain health, your digestion, and even your mood.

Unfortunately, because the typical western diet is full of foods that are bad for your gut, an unhealthy gut is very common. If you’re looking to overcome all the problems associated with poor gut health, then here are the 5 worst foods for a healthy gut microbiome.

1. Fried Foods

Ever felt sluggish and slow after eating fried foods? Well, there’s a reason for this. Fried foods are cook in oils that contain saturated and trans fats. These make them hard to digest and can cause gas and stomach pain.

Fried foods may also promote the growth of unhealthy gut bacteria. So, if you’re eating these foods regularly, your gut probably isn’t happy with you.

2. Red Meat

How much red meat do you eat? If you eat it regularly, then you may be damaging your gut microbiome even if you’re eating the best quality lean, organic meat.  

Red meat has been shown to lower the number of microbes in the gut. This might sound like a good thing, but the truth is that your body depends on gut microbiome diversity. Different microorganisms in your gut perform different tasks. So, the lower the variety, the more you’re likely to experience problems and different conditions.

Red meat may also lead to heart problems by way of the gut. Some studies have shown that eating red meat can trigger the growth of specific bacteria that contribute to clogged arteries. 

3. Sugary Foods

You may already avoid sugary foods to help control your weight, but now you have another reason to do so. Sugar nourishes bad bacteria and yeast in your gut and can cause them to overgrow and try to take over in there.

4. Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin might seem like the perfect alternative to sugar. However, even though they pass straight through the body and aren’t digested, they do come into contact with the gut microbiome.

Research is still coming out on the effects of this interaction. However, early studies suggest that artificial sweeteners negatively affect the gut microbiome composition and may lead to glucose intolerance.

5. Some Meal Replacement Bars

If you’re eating meal replacement bars, then you need to read the wrapper. Some of them are filled with added sugar and refined carbohydrates that are damaging to the health of your gut.

So, make sure you read the label carefully, and if you see lots of sugar in your bars, try a natural snack like a banana and some nuts instead. 

The Takeaway

Which of these foods are you eating regularly? And what can you replace them with that will improve the health of your gut microbiome?

Eating right all the time isn’t easy. That’s why you need the Axis Recovery Support Pack, the ultimate support trio for your gut.

Read next: Gut Microbiome: Ultimate Guide to How to Improve Your Gut Health