5 Reasons why you should love your gut microbiome

Your body is the host to 10 times as many beneficial bacteria as there are human cells. So, you could in theory argue that we’re more bacteria than we are human!?

A large amount of this bacteria accumulates in the gut where it carries out a lot of helpful tasks to support your health and wellbeing. They help to digest the food you eat, support your immune system, and protect us from harmful bacteria colonising inside your body.

1. Your gut bacteria communicates with your immune system and keeps it in check.

The bacteria in your gut can send signals to your intestines and vice versa. In this two-way communication system, the body can make changes depending on the signals it receives from the microbiome. The signals from the gut bacteria can influence the immune system to up-regulate or down-regulate certain factors in response.

2. Health and disease are linked to your gut microbiome.

These bacteria have a major influence on your health and well-being as they can influence inflammation and infection in the gut, which has an impact on how well your gut functions. This directly impacts how well you can digest food, as well as having an impact on mood, obesity, and other diseases.

3. The bacteria in your gut can communicate when things change.

Your gut’s microbiome is constantly evolving over time with exposure to different food and drinks and the microorganisms we ingest with them. Our bodies respond to these changes by constantly “checking in with” the composition of the gut microbiome. When the bacteria change, your body is made aware and can then start to separate the good from the bad. This helps to achieve positive homeostasis in the gut.

4. Your gut microbiome is unique to you.

While your gut microbiome can change, like other people, your gut microbiome is as unique to you as your fingerprint. Because of your individual routine and typical food choices, you will have a consistent “personal normal” which keeps you functioning and feeling the way you currently do.

5. Love your gut microbiome and it will love you.

There are still lots of things about your friendly microbiome that scientists are yet to discover. But what is certain is that looking after your gut microbiome is important for your health. You can do this by focusing on ingesting pre and probiotic foods.

Prebiotic foods include:

• Garlic
• Artichokes
• Legumes
• Leafy vegetables
• Cereals
• Apples

Probiotic foods include:

• Kefir
• Sauerkraut
• Tempeh
• Kimchi
• Miso
• Kombucha
• Pickles
• Greek yoghurt
• Probiotic food supplements