Your microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms that live in your digestive system, helping to release nutrients in your food and aid your overall health.

How do you know if your internal microbiome is healthy and happy? Andrea Azcárate-Peril, a director at the Microbiome Core Facility at the University of North Carolina. Quite literally. They support our immune system, help us process and absorb nutrients, and lower the risk many conditions , including:.

Many chronic and autoimmune diseases have also been linked to a microbiotic imbalance — or dysbiosis. Most people already have an idea of how healthy their gut is, according to Dr. Ami Bhatt, an assistant professor and researcher at Stanford University. There are roughly trillion bacteria in the digestive system alone.

It may seem like a tall order to change them, but the good news is that your microbiome can quickly change. Research has shown that within days of changing your diet, your gut microbiome can change.

So what are you waiting for? Follow this 3-day fix to build and diversify your gut army and support lasting change for the better. If that circadian rhythm is disrupted, we are going to have issues. The Western diet has also been linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers.

A study found that a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with a lower intake of red meat, processed foods and meats, and dairy increased the amount of total bacteria in the gut and supported beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

So why not try the Mediterranean diet , which follows these recommendations? Other types of alcohol can harm gut health by decreasing beneficial bacteria, but red wine has been shown to support beneficial bacteria in the gut thanks to its concentration of polyphenols.

Polyphenols are plant compounds that have been linked to health benefits like lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

A small study from found that when people stopped smoking, they had more microbial diversity in their gut. A review of 13 studies confirmed smokers experienced a reduction in species diversity in their gut bacteria. To be on the safe side, halt vaping activities too.

Add gut health to the list of reasons you should hit the gym. A review found higher levels of gut microbial diversity in high level athletes. A study found that exercise increased the microbes that help reduce inflammation, fight insulin resistance, and support a healthy metabolism.

Once the participants stopped exercising regularly, their microbiomes went back to what they had been at the start. Sleep deprivation has been found to alter the bacteria in your gut. Go to bed early — at least 30 minutes before you normally do on a weekday — for quality sleep.

Fiber is key to a happy gut , especially indigestible fiber. We are learning that the variety of bacteria in your gut is an important indicator of the health of your microbiome. Many factors, including the foods you eat, can impact the type of bacteria found in your digestive tract.

What we eat can have short-term and long-term effects on our gut microbiome environment. The importance of the gut to our overall health is a topic of increasing research in the medical community. Research is showing us that our gut microbiome can affect every organ in our body.

A higher level of diversity in gut bacteria is an important indicator of the health of your microbiome. While research is ongoing, it appears that your gut health plays an important role in your overall health.

The gut microbiome is also affected by things we cannot control, such as our environment, age, birth mode and whether we were breast-fed or bottle-fed as a baby. While we cannot use one specific measure for our gut health External Link , some signs that you may have poor gut health include:.

You may be able to improve your gut health through lifestyle and diet changes. Dietary fibre in foods can improve your gut health as it can help keep us regular, reduce the risk of bowel cancer and feed the healthy bacteria in our gut. Wholefoods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, wholegrains and nuts, may prevent the growth of some bacteria linked to diseases and inflammation.

Our lifestyle, for example physical activity , good sleep and stress reduction are also good for gut health. Your gut bacteria are influenced by what you eat. It is important to give them the right fuel to have a balanced gut microbiome. The best way to maintain a healthy microbiome is to eat a range of fresh, wholefoods, mainly from plant sources like fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, nuts and wholegrains.

Fibre is important for our gut health for many reasons. Fibre can affect the function of our gut, for example, the digestion and absorption of nutrients, how quickly or slowly things move through and the quality of our stools.

The breakdown of fibre by our gut bacteria can also create important products which can influence the development of gastrointestinal conditions such as bowel cancer. Fibre has other benefits to our health apart from the gut, for example, reducing our risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Fibre is only found in foods that come from a plant. Australian adult women should be aiming to eat at least 25g of fibre a day, and men 30g. Prebiotic fibres, which are not found in all high fibre foods, may be especially helpful for our gut microbiome, as they can act as a fertiliser for the healthy bacteria in our gut.

The diversity of food on your plate can help lead to a more diverse microbiome, which is an indicator of a healthy gut microbiome. While almost all foods have had some kind of processing , it is best to eat foods that are minimally processed. These foods retain their nutritional value and do not usually have added sugar , salt , unhealthy fats or additives such as emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners, all of which may impact your gut health.

Unprocessed foods include fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, unflavoured dairy , eggs, seafood, poultry and lean red meat. Ultra-processed foods include deli meats such as ham and salami, many breakfast cereals, ready-made meals, sweet desserts and many packaged snacks such as chips. Water is the best fluid to drink and provides benefits to gut health.

Water assists with the breakdown of food, so that your body can absorb nutrients. Water also assists with softening stools, helping prevent constipation. Chewing your food thoroughly and eating slowly may reduce digestive discomfort such as gas, pain and bloating.

Fermented foods External Link have undergone a process in which their sugars are broken down by yeast and bacteria. While research into fermented foods is limited, the bacteria found in some fermented foods have been linked with digestive health and other benefits.

Breastfeeding helps an infant develop a healthy gut microbiome, which may help protect against certain health conditions later in life. Regular cardiovascular exercise such as walking and cycling can stimulate the muscles of the gut to move digestive contents through the body.

Stress can impact your gut health. Manage your stress levels by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, socialising, using relaxation techniques and eating well. Not getting enough or sufficient quality of sleep may impact your gut microbiome and may contribute to digestive discomfort. In a healthy body, pathogenic and symbiotic microbiota coexist without problems.

But if there is a disturbance in that balance—brought on by infectious illnesses, certain diets, or the prolonged use of antibiotics or other bacteria-destroying medications—dysbiosis occurs, stopping these normal interactions.

As a result, the body may become more susceptible to disease. Microbiota stimulate the immune system , break down potentially toxic food compounds, and synthesize certain vitamins and amino acids, [2] including the B vitamins and vitamin K.

For example, the key enzymes needed to form vitamin B12 are only found in bacteria, not in plants and animals. Sugars like table sugar and lactose milk sugar are quickly absorbed in the upper part of the small intestine, but more complex carbohydrates like starches and fibers are not as easily digested and may travel lower to the large intestine.

There, the microbiota help to break down these compounds with their digestive enzymes. The fermentation of indigestible fibers causes the production of short chain fatty acids SCFA that can be used by the body as a nutrient source but also play an important role in muscle function and possibly the prevention of chronic diseases, including certain cancers and bowel disorders.

The microbiota of a healthy person will also provide protection from pathogenic organisms that enter the body such as through drinking or eating contaminated water or food. Large families of bacteria found in the human gut include Prevotella , Ruminococcus , Bacteroides , and Firmicutes.

If microbiota are so vital to our health, how can we ensure that we have enough or the right types? You may be familiar with probiotics or perhaps already using them.

These are either foods that naturally contain microbiota, or supplement pills that contain live active bacteria—advertised to promote digestive health. Whether you believe the health claims or think they are yet another snake oil scam, they make up a multi-billion dollar industry that is evolving in tandem with quickly emerging research.

Allan Walker, Professor of Nutrition at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, believes that although published research is conflicting, there are specific situations where probiotic supplements may be helpful. Because probiotics fall under the category of supplements and not food, they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the U.

This means that unless the supplement company voluntarily discloses information on quality, such as carrying the USP U. Pharmacopeial Convention seal that provides standards for quality and purity, a probiotic pill may not contain the amounts listed on the label or even guarantee that the bacteria are alive and active at the time of use.

In addition to family genes, environment, and medication use, diet plays a large role in determining what kinds of microbiota live in the colon. A high-fiber diet in particular affects the type and amount of microbiota in the intestines. Dietary fiber can only be broken down and fermented by enzymes from microbiota living in the colon.

Short chain fatty acids SCFA are released as a result of fermentation. This lowers the pH of the colon, which in turn determines the type of microbiota present that would survive in this acidic environment.

The lower pH limits the growth of some harmful bacteria like Clostridium difficile. Growing research on SCFA explores their wide-ranging effects on health, including stimulating immune cell activity and maintaining normal blood levels of glucose and cholesterol.

Foods that support increased levels of SCFA are indigestible carbohydrates and fibers such as inulin, resistant starches , gums, pectins, and fructooligosaccharides. These fibers are sometimes called prebiotics because they feed our beneficial microbiota.

They are produced by the pancreas, stomach and small intestine. Digestive enzyme supplements can help improve gut health by aiding in the breakdown of food. Look for supplements that contain a combination of different enzymes, including protease, amylase, lipase, lactase and cellulase.

These enzymes help break down proteins, carbohydrates, fats, lactose and fiber, respectively. L-glutamine is an amino acid that is essential for gut health.

It is the most abundant amino acid in the body and is used to fuel the cells that line the digestive tract.

Glutamine helps to strengthen the intestinal barrier, which is important for preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. Glutamine supplements can help improve gut health by supporting the growth and repair of the intestinal lining. Look for a supplement that specifically contains L-glutamine , which is the form of glutamine that is most easily absorbed by the body.

Curcumin is a natural compound found in turmeric , a spice common to Indian cuisine. The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin have been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut, which is related to a number of digestive problems, including inflammatory bowel disease IBD and irritable bowel syndrome IBS.

Curcumin may have special benefits for people with leaky gut syndrome by deactivating damaging compounds and helping to close holes in the gut lining.

To supplement with curcumin, look for antioxidant supplements that contain a high concentration of curcuminoids. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health.

It can help to reduce inflammation in the gut, improving the gut barrier and its ability to absorb nutrients from the foods you eat. Vitamin C has been known to help balance out the good and bad bacteria inside the gut, resulting in better digestion and a healthier gut microbiome.

To get more Vitamin C, eat more leafy green vegetables. Their fiber is also a pre biotic! These two plants have been used for centuries to treat digestive issues.

Ginger and chamomile both help to soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation. Chamomile can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can also improve digestion.

A study of people with anxiety taking chamomile supplements found that chamomile was effective for treating their symptoms. Ginger has added benefits of antimicrobial activity that helps to protect your gut from pathogenic microorganisms and spoilage in foods that can lead to food poisoning.

It also helps to reduce nausea and promote the production of digestive enzymes. The sugar substitute stevia is a replacement for gut-harming sugar, but it is also a pro-gut health substance all on its own. Bacteriophages are an ancient type of virus that specifically target harmful bacteria in the gut, while leaving beneficial bacteria untouched.

By reducing harmful flora, bacteriophages improve gut flora balance and reduce the risk of digestive issues. Artichoke helps to promote the production of digestive enzymes and improve digestion. Additionally, artichoke can help to reduce inflammation in the gut and improve overall gut health.

Artichoke can be found as a powdered supplement or simply add more artichoke to your diet. When you have a problem with gut health, it almost always means that somewhere at the root of your problem is a gut flora imbalance.

Gut flora is highly influenced by diet. Eating a diet with too much processed food and excess sugar harms gut flora balance, triggering issues ranging from poor nutrient absorption to weakened immunity, joint aches, depression and anxiety, and yeast overgrowth.

Sugar and other artificial additives and chemical preservatives also increase inflammation in the body, contributing to and worsening autoimmune issues. At the same time you kick sugar to the curb, increase in your diet foods that are prized for replenishing probiotics. Yogurt, sauerkraut and other fermented veggies are some other good choices.

The central nervous system shuts down digestion by slowing contractions of digestive muscles and decreasing secretions for digestion.

After the stress has past, the system recovers and digestion resumes. This ancient response works wonders when we need to flee from a charging bear, but when facing the chronic stress of modern life, an over-triggered stress response can keep us in a semi-permanent state of poor digestion.

It has a sharp, vinegary taste and can be used as a refreshing drink on its own or mixed with fruit and spices. It also makes the base for great cocktails. Gut bacteria need fibre to flourish, so the more fruit and vegetables you consume the better.

Peas are full of soluble and insoluble fibre to help keep your system in balance. Add peas to stir-fries, soups or salads. Much more than a festive staple, they contain the kinds of fibre that good bacteria like and sulphur compounds which help combat unhealthy bacteria such as H pylori.

Stir-fry with garlic and bacon for a delicious side dish. They also contain healthy minerals. Add it to salads or spread it on your sourdough. Whilst we cannot be ensured that all of the bacteria survive digestion to be beneficial it is believed that other properties help preserve some bacteria during digestion.

Use it as a flavouring for savoury dishes. The properties within garlic act as a fuel source to allow the bacteria to do their job better which overall improves gut function and can help heal your gut. Fresh ginger can help in the production of stomach acid and it stimulates the digestive system to keep food moving through the gut.

Add fresh grated ginger to soups, stews, smoothies or stir-fries. Pour boiling water on grated ginger to make refreshing ginger tea. Why not learn more about your gut health by visiting our Gut Health Hub. Along with the article about best foods for good gut health , discover some fascinating facts about your gut , ways to keep regular bowel movements , and learn more about understanding symptoms associated with your stomach and the digestive system.

You may have seen yoghurts or yoghurt drinks that contain probiotics on the supermarket shelves. The belief is that probiotics boost the number and variety of beneficial, or good, bacteria in the colon, to help your digestive and possibly general health.

Fermented vegetables such as kimchi Korean pickled cabbage and sauerkraut, miso and kefir a fermented milk are ingredients that are also naturally rich in probiotics and have become go-to gut health foods in recent years.

Prebiotics are non-digestible foods that stimulate the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria in the intestines.

They essentially provide the food that the probiotics need to thrive. Examples are artichokes, leeks, onions, garlic, asparagus, bananas, legumes, honey, oats and lentils. Prebiotics can also be manufactured artificially and used as supplements for better gut health.

These foods include:. According to a study in rodents, garlic may increase gut microbiome diversity and improve gut health. A small study of 49 people similarly found that aged garlic extract increased diversity and levels of beneficial bacteria.

Still, more research in humans should be done. Fermented foods are great dietary sources of probiotics. Examples include:.

Research suggests that consuming these foods may improve the gut microbiome. Collagen-rich foods such as bone broth and salmon skin may be beneficial for both overall health and gut health. A study indicated that supplements with collagen may benefit the gut microbiome in mice, though further research is needed.

To help your body make collagen, try eating more:. Each of these elements varies in different people, influencing their gut microbiomes in different ways. This variation results in individuals having unique gut microbiomes.

According to one small study of 16 people, fasting was linked to lower levels of a bacteria that promotes colorectal cancer. Research in animals also shows the benefits of fasting. A study in fruit flies found that intermittent fasting appeared to improve gut health and increase lifespan.

Another study in mice indicated that fasting promoted the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and reduced inflammation in the intestines. Some studies have found no impact of probiotics on the gut microbiome.

Still, other research suggests that probiotics may significantly affect the makeup of the gut microbiome and positively impact other areas of health, like immunity. You can improve your gut health by taking steps to improve your overall health.

This can include eating more fiber-rich foods, eating fewer ultra-processed foods, getting enough sleep, and managing your stress levels. Some signs of unbalanced gut bacteria can include upset stomach, unintentional weight changes, and fatigue.

The human gut is complex. While research is ongoing, it seems clear that the gut microbiome impacts whole-body health. A healthy gut contributes to:. Lifestyle and dietary changes may positively affect not only your gut health but your overall health.

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