Are you tired of your child’s lack of attention in his/her studies? Is your child exhibiting frequent mood changes over the past few days? If yes, the problem may be their gut health. A study has confirmed the connection between the gut and the brain and how the former influences the latter. You can view it as a two-way communication system between the gut and the brain that influences a child’s behavior, mood, and cognitive functions.
Through this blog post today, we at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, positioned among the best school in Gurgaon, want to help parents understand the extent of influence their child’s gut health has on their brain’s cognitive functions. We believe this knowledge can help parents to start making focused efforts toward improving their child’s gut health. So, let’s explore the role of gut health in enhancing cognitive function in kids through the following points
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Better Mood and Behavior
A gut is often called the ‘second brain’ because it directly influences brain functions and produces many of the same chemicals that regulate emotions in the brain. Hence, whenever your child’s gut is healthy, he/she will have greater feelings of happiness and well-being. Experts have also confirmed that a balanced and healthy gut helps reduce stress hormones and creates more mood-boosting hormones like serotonin, supporting a child’s healthy and happy behavior.
Many parents have shared that their kids are less irritable when their gut health is in good condition. So, if you want your kids to experience gain control over their emotional outbursts and be in a good mood and behavior most of the time, focus more on improving their gut health. For best results, we at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok would like to suggest changing their diet to include more gut-friendly food items like yogurt, bananas, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, etc.
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Sharper Thinking and Learning
A healthy gut is a kid’s most powerful ally. It can support the brain’s cognitive functions by enabling the digestive system to absorb essential nutrients like zinc, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, etc. All these nutrients support the steady growth of new brain cells. They also enhance communication between neurons and improve overall cognitive performance. This is why kids with a healthy gut mostly demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and exhibit higher levels of creativity.
Their academic performance is also praiseworthy. A healthy gut produces compounds essential for protecting brain cells from damage while promoting the growth of new neural connections. Hence, when you focus on improving your child’s gut health, you’re also taking steps to preserve your child’s long-term brain health and intellectual potential.
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Clearer Focus
Strong and sharp focus is a must for children as it is the key requirement for their growth in academics. Focus is also required in other aspects, like playing games, watching a movie, talking to friends, etc. The best part about clear focus is that it can be easily nurtured by caring for one’s gut health. A healthy gut will reduce inflammation throughout the body by creating strong barriers against harmful substances and preventing them from entering the bloodstream.
Poor gut health always interferes with brain functions by increasing inflammation in the brain region, making it harder for children to concentrate. Hence, if you want your kids to pay attention in class and study without getting distracted, promote a healthy gut for visible results.
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Improved Memory
We always rely on our brains to store and retrieve memories of things we have learned, experiences we have created, activities we have participated in, and much more. However, the brain can only remember and retrieve those memories if it has strong memory capabilities. Surprisingly, the most effective way to strengthen one’s memory lies in one’s gut health. A healthy gut produces special fatty acids essential for nourishing brain cells and supporting the formation and retention of memories. These fatty acids also support the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus region, which is the brain’s memory center.
If you want your kids to have a sharp memory, both in the short and long term, get their gut health checked by a doctor and take prescribed steps to improve it significantly. Once your child’s gut health improves, you’ll notice they can retain school lessons better, remember instructions you gave them earlier, and much more. They will also begin showing signs of improved spatial memory, which is essential for navigating and understanding their environments.
Conclusion
The link between a child’s gut health and cognitive functions is relatively fascinating and powerful at the same time. It highlights how you can automatically care for your child’s cognitive development by working on their gut health. From sharpening their thinking abilities to improving their mood, there are numerous ways in which a healthy gut supports a child’s cognitive functions. Hence, we at Delhi Public School Sushant Lok, ranked among the top CBSE schools in Gurgaon, would like to recommend parents to take charge of their child’s gut health by making relevant lifestyle and diet changes. Introduce more gut-friendly food items in their daily diet, minimize processed sugar intake, and promote a diverse microbiome to support your child’s gut health.