Whenever stress and the busyness of life get the best of me, I immediately feel the warning signs. Sore muscles, tension headaches, and most of all, gut distress. Bloating, digestive issues, and discomfort come on strong and can lead to brain fog, fatigue, and moodiness. There is growing evidence that the gut is home to the secondary brain of our bodies, and when our gut is out of balance, our minds will be, too. So, what are my go-to solutions to help heal our gut? Along with yoga and meditation, I make it a priority to incorporate juices into my diet. Luckily, Nashville is in no short supply. Here are some of the best gut healing juices in Nashville.
URBAN JUICER
With an array of fresh pressed juice and smoothies alongside food bowls, this crisp and clean “California vibes” chain is serving up some of the most healing juices in town. Looking to debloat and calm any agitation? Order the Dr. Piña. It has pineapple, apple, mint, and coconut water, which is a fantastic concoction of enzymes, peppermint, potassium, and electrolytes. And with locations all across the city, you will be able to pick one up on your way to your next destination.
I LOVE JUICE BAR
Sometimes your tummy needs a total reset by saying no to the sugar, even when it comes from fruit. Sugar can cause digestive distress in those of us with sensitive systems and lead to more inflammation. In my opinion, the best selection of sugar-free green juices in the city comes from this trendy business. With five locations in Nashville, Juice Bar is there for you at all times. Head on in and grab my personal favorite, the Mean Greens. This spicy, green juice features jalapeno blended with kale, cucumber, spinach, celery, parsley, and lemon. Confused as to how jalapeno can possibly help the gut? It is said that the capsaicin in peppers may help prevent further development of ulcers and fight off inflammation.
E+ROSE
If anxiety is what you are feeling a lot of lately, then you are likely also feeling a massive increase of gut problems. With all the traffic in Nashville this season due to the hundreds of events, it is likely that you even experience anxiety just trying to get from one place to another. I suggest heading to this airy, plant-based café for an anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety antidote. The Pineapple Express containing pineapple, lime, filtered water and CBD oil is the perfect combination of bromelain from the pineapple, compounds from the limes, and calming factors of CBD oil to help improve digestion and calm you internally, leading to a happier gut. There’s are locations downtown and in East Nashville.
FRANKLIN JUICE CO.
Sometimes your gut needs some natural prebiotic help, which is where Franklin Juice Co. comes in. This darling little shop in 12South (or, duh, Franklin) is the perfect place to sip while you get some work done. Order their Green Almond for a fun twist on the typical green juice. Kale, spinach, lemon, and water gets polished off with almonds, giving your gut some natural prebiotics and vitamin E, two fantastic ingredients that help increase levels of beneficial gut bacteria. Follow up with a shot of their fresh ginger juice for ample digestive defense.
It is easy to immediately turn to medication or a pharmacy when feeling some level of digestive or gut distress. But the smarter thing to do is turn towards nutrition and the power of natural ingredients. By adding a juice into your daily diet, your gut will feel healthy and happy in no time – and stay that way.
