While certain foods are beneficial for the intestinal flora, others can upset or even damage it. This can lead to chronic intestinal diseases and, in the worst case, even increase the risk of developing bowel cancer. These 4 foods are bad for the intestinal flora.
4 foods that damage the intestinal flora
1. sugar
Sugar is not only bad for your teeth and skin and promotes obesity, it also attacks the intestinal flora. Bad intestinal bacteria are strengthened, increasing the risk of fungal diseases. It can also lead to constipation, flatulence and digestive problems.
2. alcohol
It is also not particularly surprising that alcohol damages the intestinal flora. It not only burdens the intestines, but also the entire digestive tract. An occasional glass of wine or a beer at the end of the day is harmless, but excessive alcohol consumption damages the intestinal flora and can increase the risk of intestinal cancer.
3. red meat
Red meat such as pork, lamb or beef and highly processed sausage products such as cold cuts are particularly bad for the gastrointestinal tract. Of course, this does not mean that you have to give up meat completely, but you should opt for white meat and reduce your meat consumption in general. This will reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
4. white flour
You should avoid white flour products as much as possible or only eat very little of them, as they can make the intestinal mucosa permeable. As a result, dangerous bacteria can infect the internal organs and undigested substances from the intestine can enter the bloodstream. It is therefore better to opt for whole grain products and avoid eating so much industrially processed cake, cookies and bread.