Bad bacteria love nothing more than cheap energy, and sugar is their favorite source. Sugar that comes from processed foods, low-nutrient carbohydrates, conventional dairy, alcohol, and even fructose in fruit is the fuel harmful bacteria love to help them proliferate.
Best: Polyphenols
Colorful foods are rich in polyphenols, as are tea, coffee, and red wine. Polyphenols in green tea may help fight “bad” bacteria like E. coli and calm symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and peptic ulcers. Polyphenols can also promote the growth of good gut bacteria.
Prebiotics are non-digestible foods that stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. They essentially provide the food that the probiotics need to thrive. Examples are artichokes, leeks, onions, garlic, asparagus, bananas, legumes, honey, oats and lentils.
Supporting your health foundations, like diet, exercise, and sleep, is the first step toward getting rid of bad bacteria in the gut. If that doesn't solve the problem by itself, then probiotics should be the next step to crowd out harmful bacteria and restabilize the microbiome.
Whole grains are rich in fiber and will help to cleanse the colon. Oats, oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa are all great sources. Try to incorporate 3 – 5 servings per day into your meals. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and most leafy greens are fiber-dense and are always healthy choices.
Oregano. Oregano oil is one of the most common substances used to treat SIBO. One study found it to be even more effective than pharmaceutical antibiotics for killing off wayward microbes in the small intestine (Source: NCBI).
small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) commonly results when a circumstance — such as surgery or disease — slows the passage of food and waste products in the digestive tract, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. The excess bacteria often cause diarrhea and may cause weight loss and malnutrition.
"Polyphenols are a type of plant chemical that gut microbes love," says Rossi. They are found in berries, apples, artichokes, red onions, tea, dark chocolate and other fruits and vegetables.
As part of a balanced diet, eggs contribute to a healthy digestive tract and can be helpful during acute digestive problems. In addition to being packed with nutrients, eggs are usually easy to digest compared to some other high-protein foods, such as meat and legumes.
Broccoli. "Cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli and cauliflower, contain complex sugars that you can't digest," says Cavuto. "They're called raffinose, and they can produce gas.
If you like to support your gut health but love a cup or two of the brown stuff, this is a question you may have pondered upon. Luckily, I can reassure you that the answer to this question is no, coffee is not bad for your gut bacteria.
For most people, the composition of the gut microbiome returns almost completely to baseline in one to two months. But for a few, things may not go back to the way they were for quite a long period of time.
Healing the gut after dysbiosis can take anywhere from a couple of months to a year, depending on the severity of your symptoms and the cause of your bacterial imbalance.
When your gut is imbalanced, your body may struggle to absorb nutrients, store fat, and regulate blood sugar. Weight loss or gain may be caused by bacteria overgrowth or lack of nutrients. You have skin irritations. Some skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis may be related to gut issues.
Avocado. Avocado is a superfood packed with fiber and essential nutrients, such as potassium, which helps promote healthy digestive function. It's also a low-fructose food, so it's less likely to cause gas. Be wary of portion sizes when it comes to foods like nuts and avocados.
The five types of foods that cause inflammation include: Red meat and processed meats, including bacon, hot dogs, lunch meats and cured meats. Refined grains, including white bread, white rice, pasta and breakfast cereals. Snack foods, including chips, cookies, crackers and pastries.