Tasty Hack SUPERCHARGES Gut Health
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 27, 2023
One day, we’ll look back at our discovery of the nervous system in our guts in much the same way as other giant leaps in medicine like germ theory, vaccinations, and antibiotics.
Knowing it exists and how important it is has changed EVERYTHING.
We now understand that the enteric nervous system, or our “second brain” as it’s often called, communicates directly with our brain. And we know that good gut health is vital for our OVERALL good health and well-being.
In fact, researchers have already linked gut health to mood, weight, and memory. And, of course, a vast portion of our immune system is literally located in our GI tract.
The microbiome is a system of cells consisting of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live primarily in our small and large intestines. And these microbes are responsible for the digestion and absorption of much of what we eat.
Keeping this ecosystem of “bugs” happy and healthy is critical. And unfortunately, the average Western diet – that lacks fiber and nutrients – often falls short. This leads to an unbalanced microbiome and leaves us vulnerable to illnesses.
Lucky for us, researchers discovered a hack that can help replenish your gut bugs and restore your microbiome. And I’ve got to tell you, it’s downright DELICIOUS!
I’m talking about tasty avocados. It turns out our guts LOVE them!
Scientists from the University of Illinois found that a daily dose of avocado can go a long way toward restoring your gut health.
Volunteers were divided into two groups. For 12 weeks, both groups had a meal replacement for one meal daily. One group’s replacement meal contained avocado, and the other got a look-alike placebo.
Blood, urine, and fecal samples were gathered throughout the study to track the nutrients the participants were absorbing. And it soon became clear that the avocado was making a BIG impact.
Folks in the avocado group had…
- MORE microbes
- A greater VARIETY of microbes
This is critical because, as I mentioned earlier, your microbiome assists with digesting and processing the foods you eat.
Having more bugs and a wider variety of them means you absorb MORE of the nutrients you need and eliminate MORE unneeded byproducts.
If you’re concerned about the fat in avocados, don’t be. The fat in these delicious fruits is the HEALTHY variety. Plus, avocados are loaded with about 12 grams of gut-friendly soluble fiber.
And the nutritional benefits don’t end there. A medium avocado also contains plenty of other necessary nutrients, including:
- 26 percent of your daily vitamin K
- 20 percent of your needed folate
- 17 percent of vitamin C requirements
- more potassium than bananas
- a healthy dose of B vitamins
- plus, antioxidants, lutein, zeaxanthin, and more
Avocados are delicious, healthy, and great for your gut. So go ahead and eat more of them starting TODAY.
P.S. Avocados aren’t just good for your gastrointestinal health. They’re also a secret weapon for dialing down your risk of THIS deadly disease. Find out what it is RIGHT HERE.
SOURCE:
“Avocado Consumption Alters Gastrointestinal Bacteria Abundance and Microbial Metabolite Concentrations among Adults with Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” The Journal of Nutrition, 2020; DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa219
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...