One of the best parts of the holiday season is undoubtedly the food. You're presented with a smorgasbord of the most delicious and indulgent foods you can imagine and surrounded by a great company. It's hard not to overindulge in all the eggnog, cookies, and second and third helpings! But, for as merry and bright as those holiday meals may be, the recovery can be brutal. Knowing that overeating is likely on the horizon, here are some things to keep in mind to keep your gut healthy and reduce recovery time over the holiday season.
The Repercussions of an Unhealthy Gut
Gut health has been a trending topic all throughout 2020 and 2021 and it's expected to continue into the new year and beyond! We are constantly learning about all the ways that our guts can influence our mental health, digestive health, energy levels, and more. The gut is teeming with fungi, bacteria, and viruses. This living accumulation of microorganisms makes up what is known as the microbiome. Within the microbiome, there are good and "bad" gut bacteria, and they are constantly duking it out and trying to take over. Some studies have even shown that gut's composition changes depending on the time of the year.