Do Processed Foods Cause Poor Gut Health?

Have you ever experienced uncomfortable symptoms after eating a meal? Fast foods, refined sugars, and other processed foods may taste delicious, but contribute to poor gut health. Recognizing unhealthy foods and understanding the importance of gut health can help you work toward overall health and wellness. 

What Are Processed Foods?

Have you ever strolled down the grocery aisles and opted for your favorite chips, granola bars, or sugar cereal? These are examples of processed foods that often contain chemicals and artificial ingredients. Processed foods are any foods that undergo alternation from their natural state. Many food groups undergo this process to help ensure better digestion and safer consumption. However, highly processed and ultra-processed foods are groups we should avoid. 

Highly processed and ultra-processed foods include candy bars, soda, and foods with hydrogenated oils, or high-fructose corn syrup. While it may seem easy to avoid these foods, grocery stores contain many processed foods. Processed foods also include high levels of sugar, fat, salt, as well as chemical  preservatives which may lengthen their shelf life but cause a higher risk for health issues. 

How Do Processed Foods Affect Gut Health?

Eating too many processed foods can harm your gut health over time. Your gut microbiome consists of tiny microorganisms including  fungi and bacteria.  Maintaining  a balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract promotes  optimal health. This balance of gut health and gut bacteria  can lower the risk of many health issues, such as cancer, poor immunity, autoimmune issues, and mental health. 

When the body consumes an excessive amount of processed food, the preservatives in the food slowly destroy the gut microbiome. Emulsifiers, food dyes, and artificial preservatives can cause adverse reactions to the body’s natural ability to digest food. As the body interacts with high levels of fat and sugar in these foods, it increases inflammation throughout the body. 

Symptoms of Poor Gut Health

Although every digestive system is unique and may experience different symptoms, there are some common signs of poor gut health. 

• Stomach pains – bloating, constipation, diarrhea
• Metabolic issues – sudden weight gain or loss
• Changes in skin appearance – acne, psoriasis
• Insomnia
• Mood swings

These are just a few common symptoms of poor gut health that can increase the risk of more serious health issues. Recognizing the signs of poor gut health can help you naturally balance gut bacteria and improve your health. 

Choosing Healthy Options

Avoiding processed food is easier than it seems. A few simple tricks can help you with uncomfortable symptoms and lower the risk of gut disorders. First, practice reading the food labels on everything in the grocery store. A general rule is that if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, place it back on the shelf. Instead, choose whole food options like raw fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Seafood, chicken, and other less processed meats are healthier alternatives. 

Contact Us Today For An Appointment

If you’re struggling with symptoms of poor gut health, contact The Gut Authority today. We help many people in Mobile, Alabama, and the nearby areas, to recover from their digestive disorders. Our functional medicine approach is a holistic alternative to traditional health care.  Our plan works naturally with the body and will help you understand how we work toward better health and wellness. Call us today.