If You Want a Healthier Gut, Start Adding These Seeds to Your Diet Today

The state of your gut affects your energy levels, immunity, mood, and even your skin. Keeping it healthy is one of the most important things you can do for your overall wellbeing. And while there are many dietary strategies for gut health, few are as simple or as effective as adding specific seeds to your meals.
Three seeds have been singled out by a gut health specialist as particularly powerful for digestive cleansing and support: chia seeds, flaxseeds, and basil seeds. Each one offers distinct benefits, and all three are easy to find and simple to use in everyday cooking.
Chia seeds are a gut health staple for good reason. Rich in soluble fibre, they form a gel when soaked in liquid that nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and promotes regular, comfortable bowel movements. They also help moderate blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for metabolic health too. Try soaking one to two tablespoons overnight in yoghurt or almond milk and topping with berries for a nutritious breakfast.
Flaxseeds are a rich source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory effects on the gut. The important thing to remember is that they must be ground before eating — whole seeds pass through the digestive system largely intact, providing little nutritional benefit. A tablespoon of ground flaxseeds in oatmeal or a smoothie, used several times a week, can help reduce bloating, support hormone health, and manage cholesterol.
Basil seeds, also known as sabja seeds, are a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for digestive issues. They expand quickly in water and offer similar soluble fibre benefits to chia seeds. Using them alongside chia seeds in oatmeal or plant-based milk is a wonderful way to combine two highly effective gut-health seeds in a single meal.