Looking for foods to boost the vagus nerve and support calmer digestion and mood? The vagus nerve is a central highway in the gut-brain axis, so choosing foods that nourish gut health can help tone this nerve and ease stress-driven upset. This page highlights seven delicious picks that science supports for supporting vagal signaling, plus simple ways to weave them into everyday meals and practical tips for making them a habit.
Seven delicious foods to boost the vagus nerve include: yogurt or other probiotic-rich dairy for friendly bacteria; blueberries for polyphenols and antioxidants; salmon or other fatty fish for omega-3 fats; extra-virgin olive oil for healthy fats and polyphenols; kimchi or sauerkraut as fermented vegetables; walnuts for plant-based omegas and fiber; and a small piece of dark chocolate for flavanols. Easy ideas: swirl yogurt with blueberries for a gut-friendly breakfast; bake salmon with olive oil and herbs; top salads with kimchi; snack on a handful of walnuts; and finish dessert with a square of dark chocolate. Small, consistent choices add up over time and support your gut–brain connection.
Beyond taste, it’s helpful to connect these foods to personal gut health insights. That’s where a comprehensive platform like InnerBuddies shines. The Gut Health Operating System tracks how foods to boost the vagus nerve influence the gut microbiome, using a Gut Microbiome Health Index (0–100) and detailed bacterial data to show how one stacks up against a healthy cohort. One can see how the chosen foods affect bacteria abundances and functions, and explore targeted analyses for groups such as Healthy Aging or Endurance Sport to tailor the plan.
InnerBuddies also offers practical, personalized guidance to put these foods into action. With personalized nutrition advice derived from three-day food diaries and stool samples, evidence-based recommendations that fit the unique gut microbiome can be provided. There are even personalized probiotics and prebiotics suggestions to complement the seven-food strategy. If curious to explore further, one can check out the
InnerBuddies microbiome test, consider a
Gut Health Membership for ongoing insights, or learn about partnership opportunities at
become a partner to bring these capabilities to others.