We don’t like to talk about our bowels too often. But the truth is, they’re incredibly important and we should look after them. Maintaining good bowel health is vital, and not too difficult if you avoid certain lifestyle factors which can have a big impact on our digestive system.
What’s more, bad bowel health can be difficult to live with, can be quite embarrassing, and run the risk of you being caught short, never mind the more serious conditions such as bowel cancer.
Living a healthy and balanced lifestyle is integral to protecting our bowel health, but there are also a number of things you should look to avoid too, many of which we’re probably all guilty of from time to time.
So, if you think it’s time to start paying more attention to your bowels, here are five things you should look to avoid in your lifestyle…
Excessive Consumption of Processed Foods
We all know processed foods, such as fast food and ready meals aren’t very healthy for us. They often contain refined sugars and unhealthy fats. These can disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut and contribute to bowel inflammation.
A diet rich in processed foods can increase the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease, which can be significant problems to try and deal with.
Inadequate Fibre Intake
A lack of fibre in your diet is poor for our health and can lead to constipation, as well as several other digestive issues. Fibre plays a vital part in promoting regular bowel movements and a lack of it can slow down transit time in the digestive tract.
To avoid this, you need to include foods that are fibre-rich in your diet, including whole grains, tudca, beans, legumes, fruit and vegetables.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Actually, you can find sitting around for too long can also negatively impact bowel health. Lack of physical activity slows down digestion and can lead to constipation.
Regular exercise helps stimulate bowel motility, and aiming for around 30 minutes of exercise each day can have a significant impact on our bowel’s overall health.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on bowel health, particularly when consumed in excess. You find that many people who suffer from alcohol addiction have a lot of discomfort in their bowels, and going through a private rehab centre not only helps get people off alcohol and drugs, but also helps the body recover from such abuse, including bowels.
Alcohol can irritate the lining of the intestines and disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, leading to inflammation and digestive discomfort. Chronic heavy drinking is also associated with an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders, including gastritis, pancreatitis, and liver disease. To protect your bowel health, limit alcohol consumption to moderate levels, and consider abstaining from alcohol altogether if you have existing digestive issues.
Ignoring the Urge to Go
Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement can contribute to constipation and disrupt normal bowel function over time. Delaying a visit to the toilet when you feel the urge can lead to stool hardening and difficulty passing stools later on. Make it a habit to respond promptly to your body’s signals and visit the toilet as soon as you feel the need to have a bowel movement. Establishing a regular toilet routine can help maintain healthy bowel habits and prevent constipation.
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