Do you know what a gut biome is? Research by gut experts The Gut Stuff shows 71 per cent of us don’t. But these trillions of microbes play a crucial role in our health, helping to control digestion, aiding the immune system and much more. Here’s how to look after them…
Mix it up
We often buy the same fruit and veg because we know what to do with them. But variety is key to keeping your gut microbes happy. Challenge yourself to eat 30 different varieties of plant foods a week, including veggies, fruit, wholegrains, pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices.
Get enough fibre
Fibre does so much more than keep you regular. It also feeds your gut microbes, which slow down how quickly sugar is released, reducing the risk of certain diseases. We should eat 30g of fibre a day. An apple has about 2g of fibre and a jacket potato with skin on has 4g.
Meditate more
Amazingly 95 per cent of serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel happy, is produced in your gut. Low levels increase your risk of anxiety. Besides eating well, managing stress is fundamental for your gut, and there’s evidence that serotonin increases when we relax and meditate. The body produces cortisol when we’re stressed, which can cause all sorts of problems, including fatigue.
Keep moving
Your gut microbes love it when you keep active! Studies show that working out increases the variety of microbes by up to 40 per cent.