### The Powerful Influence of Gut Health on Your Overall Well-being
The human gut is a bustling metropolis of microorganisms, with more than 100 trillion microbes calling our digestive system home. Recent scientific developments have highlighted the profound effect our gut health has on our overall well-being, ultimately influencing everything from our mental health to our susceptibility to disease.
#### How Does the Gut Impact Health?
“Gut health” refers to the balance of these microorganisms in our digestive tract. Just like a well-run city, having the right balance of residents performing the right tasks helps everything run as smoothly as possible. And the science is making it increasingly clear: when our gut is healthy, so is the rest of our body.
The influence of the gut on our health is largely due to the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms living inside our digestive tract. _(1)_ These tiny guests perform important functions vital to your health such as aiding digestion, producing essential vitamins, and even fine-tuning your immune system.
Moreover, the gut and the brain are in constant communication, a connection known as the gut-brain axis. Recently, there has been increasing evidence suggesting that the state of our gut greatly affects our mental health. _(2)_ Persistent changes in your gut microbiota have been linked with anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
#### Improving Gut Health
Maintaining gut health comes down to nurturing a diverse, balanced gut microbiome. Here are a few science-backed ways to keep your gut healthy.
_Eat a diverse range of foods_: Different types of bacteria eat different types of food. A varied diet rich in whole foods will help improve the diversity of your gut bacteria.
_Consume fermented foods_: Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir are rich in beneficial probiotics. Consuming these is an excellent way to increase the good bacteria in your gut.
_Avoid excessive use of antibiotics_: While necessary in some situations, unnecessary use of antibiotics can wipe out your gut’s bacterial diversity, making it more susceptible to disease.
_Get enough fiber_: Foods high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are excellent for gut health because they can be used as energy by your gut bacteria. In fact, a recent large-scale study demonstrated a link between a high fiber diet and lowered risk of heart disease, proving once again the importance of gut health on overall well-being. _(3)_
#### The Mighty Microbes
While we have long been aware of the important roles of diet, physical activity, and genetics on health, understanding the power of these mighty microbes is a new frontier in human health. As science continues to unveil the impact of our gut health, it’s clear that nurturing our inner ecosystem is paramount to maintaining overall health.
Maintaining a healthy gut isn’t just about avoiding digestive issues—it’s about supporting your immune system, mental health, and reducing risk of major chronic diseases. In essence, a happy gut equals a healthy individual.
###### References:
1. Sender, R., Fuchs, S. & Milo, R. (2016). Revised Estimates for the Number of Human and Bacteria Cells in the Body. PLoS Biol 14(8): e1002533. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1002533
2. Foster, J. A., & Neufeld, K. M. (2013). Gut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends in neurosciences, 36(5), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005
3. Reynolds, A., Mann, J., Cummings, J., Winter, N., Mete, E., Te Morenga, L. (2019). Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The Lancet, 393(10170), 434-445. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31809-9
