Winter Health Tips:  As soon as the winter season arrives, our health has to face many challenges. One of these is gut health i.e. the health of the digestive system. In winter, the digestive system (Gut Health) becomes a little sluggish, due to which problems like constipation, gas and indigestion start occurring, but with some easy measures (Tips for Healthy Gut) you can strengthen your gut health. Let's know how.

Why does gut health deteriorate in winter?

There are many reasons for poor gut health in winter, such as-

• Slowing down of metabolism: In winters, the metabolism slows down to maintain the body temperature, which also slows down digestion.
• Drinking less water- We feel less thirsty in winters, due to which we do not drink enough water. Water is very important for our body, especially for digestion.
• Hot food- In winter we tend to eat more hot food, which can be heavy to digest.
• Stress- Stress levels increase in winter, which affects digestion.

Ways to strengthen gut health in winter

• Drink plenty of water- Drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can also drink lukewarm water. This will reduce congestion caused by cold and keep you hydrated .
• Eat fibre-rich foods- A fibre-rich diet such as fruits, vegetables, pulses and cereals helps in improving digestion.
• Take probiotics- Probiotics contain good bacteria that help in digestion. Probiotics are found in food items like yogurt, buttermilk, sauerkraut and kimchi.
• Consume ghee- Ghee helps in increasing digestion power. You can eat your vegetables and pulses by adding ghee to them.
• Include turmeric in your diet- Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties , which help in improving digestion. You can drink turmeric mixed in hot milk. This also strengthens immunity.
• Eat celery- Celery helps to improve digestion and relieve gas problems. You can eat celery after meals.
• Reduce stress- Try to reduce stress through yoga, meditation or any other activity.
• Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables- In winter, include seasonal fruits and vegetables like carrots, turnips, beetroot, oranges etc. in your diet. These are rich in nutrients and help in improving digestion.
• Avoid eating raw food: Avoid eating raw food in winter as it is difficult to digest.
• Consume warm spices- Warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cumin help in improving digestion.

Some more tips to keep digestion healthy

• Chew your food slowly – Eating too quickly can cause digestive problems.
• Do not eat anything before sleeping at night- Eating heavy food before sleeping at night can affect digestion.
• Exercise regularly- Exercise helps improve digestion.
• Consult a doctor- If you are having persistent digestive problems, consult a doctor.