The Microbiome? What’s It All About?

Your gut microbiome is like a bustling metropolis filled with a wide array of bacteria as diverse as people living in a city. In fact, experts hail it as the most densely populated microbial ecosystem on Earth. Within this vibrant community, you’ll find nourishing friendly bacteria and not-so-friendly, disease-causing bacteria, each with their own roles to play.

Some of the bacteria are like loyal guardians, firmly sticking to the walls of your intestines, tirelessly fortifying your immune defenses. Others are brave adventurers, freely traversing the depths of your gut before ultimately finding their way out in your stool. But before bidding the body farewell, these microscopic heroes perform some amazing nutritional handywork.

Your gut bacteria in action

With special enzymes that can break chemical bonds too strong for digestive enzymes, your gut bacteria go to work in the large intestine breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and other food components. Gut bacteria also produce powerful metabolites called short-chain fatty acids that not only fuel the body, but spur many biochemical pathways into action. And, if that doesn’t impress you, consider that these microscopic wonders produce essential vitamins like vitamins B12 and K. Talk about multitasking!

But there’s a catch. Each of us has a unique makeup to our gut bacteria, and it’s constantly changing depending on our age, weight, health, activity level, stress and even certain medications. 

This constant change is why you’ll want to know the one thing that holds the key to a healthy gut microbiome. It’s what you eat. 

Nourishing your gut bacteria

To keep your gut healthy, you’ll want to add plant foods to your regular menu. Why? Plant foods are packed with prebiotic fibers that stimulate the growth and activity of health-promoting gut bacteria. Think oats, barley, mushrooms and algae, loaded with beta glucans. And don’t forget onions, chicory, garlic, asparagus, bananas and artichokes, packed with fantastic fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS for short). Add leeks, asparagus, onions, wheat, garlic, chicory, oats, soybeans and Jerusalem artichokes to the mix for their incredible inulin content. These are just a handful of the many prebiotic fibers found naturally in plant-based goodness.

Keep things simple and stress-free

No need to stress about finding specific prebiotic fibers. Just fill your plate with a colorful array of plants foods like fruits, veggies, grains and legumes. Even seeds and nuts help. By doing so, you’ll support a happy and healthy gut. 

Want an extra boost? Add some tangy fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi or sauerkraut to your weekly menu. These probiotic powerhouses will bring balance to your gut in no time. 

Cheers to a marvelous microbiome!

The EatingFor Team