The energetic force of spring is one of renewal – that which has laid dormant rises once more to the surface. It may surprise you to know that this spirit of renewal is deeply aligned with how the gut works as well. Each 3-4 days, the entire digestive tract sheds its lining, making way for fresh cells to surface. The gut, with its inherent cleansing function, is a critical organ of elimination for the body, so ensuring its optimal function helps ensure our own.

Eating a wide variety of plant foods, replete with dietary fiber, helps foster the timely movement of the digestive tract. Insoluble fibers help ‘sweep’ the gut lining, encouraging renewal, while soluble fiber forms a gel that can bind unwanted substances and carry them out of the body. Women need 25 grams of fiber every single day, and men require 38 grams. Plant foods help to cleanse the digestive tract while also providing sustenance for the gut microbiome. The trillions of bacteria that live in your gut can help support digestive wellbeing as well as foster a better gut-brain connection. Should a long winter of stress and hyper-processed foods have left your gut bacteria compromised, consider a clinically-proven probiotic such as Bio-K+ as a helpful boost while you feast on spring’s bounty. 

Asparagus

Asparagus offers an abundance of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals such as quercetin, which helps support lung health and histamine balance, making it the perfect match for allergy season. Asparagus contains both insoluble and soluble fiber while also boasting fermentable fructans that help feed beneficial bacteria in the gut for better gut health. Asparagine, an amino acid found in asparagus, acts as natural diuretic that helps flush fluids through the body.

Artichokes

One medium globe artichoke has an astounding 10 grams of fibre as well as compounds such as silymarin that are supportive of liver health, and help to stimulate the release of bile. Bile is made from cholesterol that the liver pulls from the blood, and it is essential to the proper digestion of fats. Artichokes also contain inulin, a natural prebiotic, to help encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria.

English Peas

Peas don’t often get their due as the nutrient-dense pearls they are, but ½ cup of English peas contains 4.5 grams of plant-based protein, fermentable FODMAPS as well as a whopping 5.5 grams of fiber to support elimination. Rich in folate to support healthy red blood cells and nervous system function, peas also contain about a quarter of your daily needs of energizing manganese.

Fava Beans

Fresh fava beans are such a springtime treat, and they contain a host of supportive minerals to nourish the gut-immune system. Zinc is critical for immunity as well as gut cell metabolism, and a cup of fava beans offers about 10% of your daily requirements along with more than 6 grams of fiber, much of it in the form of soothing soluble fiber.

Strawberries

Strawberries make a wonderful snack that won’t spike blood sugars and just one cup of berries boasts a day’s worth of vitamin C to support the skin and immune system. Strawberries offer 3.5g of beneficial fiber per cup while also being low FODMAP, meaning that they won’t cause unnecessary gas and bloating for those with irritable bowel syndrome. 

Connecting to seasonal produce is just one more way to honour the cyclical rhythms of nature – and our own bodies. Support and restore your digestive wellbeing with a bounty of spring plants and a supporting role from clinically proven probiotic drinks and probiotic pills.

Find the nearest Mother’s Market and Kitchen store to purchase Bio-K+ probiotics.

+These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.