A Gut Feeling

When you have a balanced microbiome—the colony of more than 100 trillion bacteria, yeasts and viruses that reside in your digestive tract—digestion improves, the immune system strengthens, and stress and anxiety are more easily regulated. While factors like age, environment and genetics can influence your microbiome, what you eat also plays a role. A balanced diet rich in probiotics can help, and these gut-friendly foods are a smart place to start.

KOMBUCHA

Slightly fruity with a hint of vinegar, kombucha is a fizzy tea drink that promotes gut health with the help of a live symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (aka SCOBY), which kick-starts the fermenting process and packs the drink with probiotics.

TRY: GT’s Synergy Gingerberry Kombucha $3 target.com

SPROUTED GRAINS

If you’ve found traditional bread difficult to digest, don’t rule out your morning toast. When grains are sprouted before being ground into flour, enzymes are released, which break down proteins and carbohydrates. Sprouted breads also contain more fiber, which helps feed the friendly bacteria in your gut.