Gut Health During Ramadan

Ramadan is the period of fasting from all food or drink from dawn to sunset, therefore, it’s important to maintain the health of our gut during the month. According to research and studies, fasting can benefit your gut health especially by increasing the diversity of the gut microbiome, which is home to trillions of bacteria. Fasting can control weight and improve insulin sensitivity. However, most people follow bad eating habits during Ramadan, which impact the digestive system and leads to constipation, bloating and upset stomach.

Almost 70 per cent of our immune system is located in the gut and it is considered the second brain in our bodies. Hence, it’s important to maintain gut health, where all the body nutrients get absorbed, contributing to a healthy immune system.

To practice fasting in the most beneficial way, you must follow some health tips to support your health during Ramadan and protect your gut from any unpleasant feelings. Firstly, it’s important to drink your daily intake of water during the eating window period. Your Iftar plate should include lots of vegetables, fruits, and complex carbs such as brown rice, sweet potato, and quinoa. Your Suhoor plate should include foods that can give and maintain your body’s energy throughout the day, it can be composed of foods such as nuts, yoghurt, fruits, and any source of protein. Make sure you are also exercising daily along with having probiotics.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that come in different strains, such as lactobacillus strain or bifidobacterium and you can find them in fermented drinks such as Yakult, kefir, pickles, kombucha, and miso.

I would recommend consuming one bottle of Yakult a day during Iftar or Suhoor to improve your digestion and support your immunity.