Thankfulness and Your Tummy

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It hit me like a brick! It was difficult to swal low the fact that I had wrecked my gut health. What followed were months of acid reflux, a painful stomach, and constipation leading to severe bouts of anxiety. “How did this hap pen to me?” I questioned. I did not have the answers but I was looking for them. I had heard about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and feared the worst. It is a no-brainer that I have a tremendous passion for food, and the thought of hav ing to give up glu ten, dairy and sug ar was terrifying! However, the fact is scores of peo ple worldwide face trouble with their gut. After months of research, I figured out some thought-provoking facts. Now it is time to share it with you.

People from all cultures show gratitude for the food they are about to eat. Gratitude is more than a couple of words spoken, as the benefits lie deeper than you know. Gratitude is not just thank fulness. It is an act of surren dering control, knowing that you have a provider. No one thanks themselves for what they have; it always involves more than oneself. Gratitude and surrender relieve the mind from stress. Stressful situations significantly affect the digestive system. When happy, the body produces serotonin- an essen tial hormone and neurotrans mitter that affects our mood. Symptoms of low serotonin in clude mood changes, difficulty sleeping, memory loss, and feelings of depression or anxiety. Physical signs include adverse gastrointestinal symptoms.

In an astounding discovery, I learnt that 90% of serotonin is produced in the gastrointes tinal tract. Good mental health can enhance the production of this hormone. Practising gratitude lowers cortisol levels and increases the production of serotonin and dopamine that are neurotransmitters associ ated with feelings of happiness and calmness. These chemical changes benefit the gut by en hancing its motility, maintain ing healthy gut bacteria, and reducing inflammation. Those who regularly engage in grat itude practices exhibit lower levels of inflammatory signs. This reduction in inflammation supports a balanced and diverse gut microbiome, which is cru cial for digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.

Most people will advise in clusions and exclusions from your diet. While this may be apt to some extent, the key lies in your mind. A healthy gut is crucial to maintaining well-being. Be thankful, knowing that you are better off than many oth ers are. Know your blessings, and be thankful in all circum stances. Your body will function better and you will be healthier and happier. If you agree, share this article with your family and friends who might benefit from it.
Give thanks this year with Roasted Turkey and Gravy. Say goodbye to dry and boring turkey breasts. In turn, make this juicy and appetising turkey breast recipe and roast the legs separately. The trick to cooking poultry lies in knowing that legs and breasts cook to their ideal doneness at different timings. The gravy will add more flavour and moistness to the dish.