A registered dietitian and gastroenterologist share gut-healthy habits you could do before bed to help balance your microbiome.

The FDA Just Banned Red Dye No.

3: The Future of Processed Foods

Is Red Wine Any Healthier for You Than White Wine?

alt

Proffee Is the Hottest New Beverage Trendbut Should You Really Be Adding Protein to Your Coffee?

First, what does it even mean to heal your gut?

According to gastroenterologist and authorAli Rezaie, MD, it has to do with your gut microbiome.

alt

lead registered dietitian forGutPersonal

He added that whats considered healthy is individualized, and that its a field thats rapidly evolving.

Hint: Several have to do with sleep and calmness.

By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, you create a more favorable environment for beneficial gut bacteria to thrive.

An image of four wine glasses on a wooden surface

She saysstretchingand yoga can help with this.

A couple examples ofgentle yoga posesto try include childs pose and tabletop pose.

Smith says this can soothe your nervous system.

Young woman mixing ice coffee

This communication is vital for maintaining gut motility and proper digestive function.

It can help with digestion.

you’re free to evendrink your probioticswith certain kombuchas, sodas, and yogurt drinks.

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

lead registered dietitian forGutPersonal

Meditative practices

While meditation can be incorporated alongside yoga, it doesnt have to be.

Similar to yoga, though, it can be calming, therefore improvingsleep healthoverall.

Activities such as deep breathing, she says, can lower stress hormones and alleviate those side effects.

Two cups with coffee and green tea on a beige background.

At the same time,meditation isnt necessarily thesolefactorthat affects your microbiome.

In other words, consider keeping these other gut-healthy habits in mind, too.

She encourages dimming lights and avoiding all screens (phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, etc.)

red pigment in a wooden spoon

for at least an hour before bedtime.

This reduces your exposure to blue light, she adds, which could otherwise interfere with your sleep.

A boost of magnesium

This is an additional tasty option to consider.

Another option thats perhaps easier: popping a magnesium supplement.

Magnesiumhelps calm the nervous system by activating neurotransmitters that relax the mind and body, she explains.

Hence, better sleep and better gut functioning.

Feeling overwhelmed by all these tips?

Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.