Certain bacteria are well known to be important for balancing your overall gut health. Bacteria called microbiomes help to improve digestion, maintain a healthy metabolism and boost immunity.

But, there are even more health benefits than you may realize. Microbiomes can help to improve concentration, improve your mood, make your skin clear and give it a nice glow, and help you focus. Your body will extract the most important nutrients from the foods that you eat, improving all of your body’s systems.

Many people are familiar with the concept of adding fermented foods to their diet, such as kimchee or kefir, which are filled with healthy live bacteria. But there are other foods, especially certain spices, that can also help to add prebiotic bacteria into your system and keep you balanced.

It is important to realize that you may be adding in GMOs unknowingly, or eating processed foods, which can seriously impair the ability of any probiotics or prebiotics to balance your gut. So, limiting or completely avoiding these foods is important.

Try to add in these 8 gut superfoods for a better balance of your gut bacteria:

1. Garlic

Garlic is well known to boost your immune system, and this is partially due to its ability to balance the microbiomes. Garlic also helps to fight off the unhealthy bacteria that enters your gut.

2. Radishes

There is a certain compound in radishes, called arabiongalactans, which help to feed the good bacteria in your gut and help them grow. Radishes make a great addition to salads, or can be enjoyed on their own.

3. Leeks

With a high fibre content and plenty of flavonoids, leeks deliver many vitamins and nutrients, especially manganese, which is known to help produce healthy enzymes required for digestion. With a great dose of vitamin A added in, leeks are great for your gut.

4. Jicama

Jicama is a favourite among the root vegetables, and it is also a food that is very good for your gut. It provides a wonderful crunch when added to recipes or enjoyed alone, and also helps balance your insulin levels—which is important for microbiome balance.

5. Jerusalem Artichoke

The high fibre content of this vegetable in the form of inulin is a naturally occurring prebiotic that does not add calories, but makes you feel satisfied longer. This fibre helps promote the growth of micro biomes.

6. Carrots

This bright orange fruit is terrific for not only your gut, but also your skin. Like radishes, carrots contain a high level of arabinogalactans, which are powerful prebiotic compounds and help promote healthy metabolism and digestion.

7. Asparagus

This beautiful vegetable contains plenty microbiomes, including inulin. Other nutrients that help the gut heal will promote healthy digestion.

8. Turmeric

This spice is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory and helps promote good brain function as well as healthy digestion.

Having a healthy gut has many advantages, and getting a good balance of gut bacteria is easy if you add the right foods to your diet.