3 Basic Foods You Should Include In Your Diet to Ensure a Healthy Colon

The colon, or large intestine as it is commonly referred to, is just one part of the larger digestive system that involves other parts of the body. Nonetheless, it is an essential part of the whole and the foods you eat can play a significant role in the health of your colon and your overall well-being. As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” While the list of foods to avoid is obvious and long, you might not be aware of the foods you should be eating to promote a healthy colon. Here are our recommendations:

• Fruits & Vegetables: Both provide fiber your body needs to facilitate normal and healthy bowel movements – broccoli is a prime example of a fiber-rich vegetable. Having a regular schedule of bowel movements will naturally cleanse your colon of harmful substances that could fester if allowed to remain. Both are also high in nutrients and vitamins like folate, a substance that may lower the risk of colon cancer. These foods also contain nutrients that may prevent inflammation of the stomach lining.
• Dairy Products: Foods like milk and yogurt fall under this category. Eating yogurt promotes gastrointestinal health due to the presence of active bacteria, which maintains the balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria. Good bacteria helps you digest food while bad bacteria can make you ill.
• Fish: Cold water fish like salmon and cod are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 oils which decrease the risk of colon cancer.

For dietary recommendations and information on colon health, contact San Francisco Gastroenterology.