Eating for your Gut

Your gut health is more important than you may realize.

Some of the biggest health conditions and diseases we face, from reflux and irritable bowel syndrome to obesity and Alzheimer's, have been linked to an imbalance of our gut. 

Our gut contains over 3 trillion microbes. Gut microbes are the good and bad bacteria that help with digestion and the function of our gastrointestinal tract. The microbiota is important for immunity and nutrition, and they affect our gastrointestinal, brain, and cardiovascular systems. 

In simple terms: Our gut dictates our health.

What is Gut Health?

Gut health - refers to physical and physiological function of many parts of the gastrointestinal tract

Which Foods Improve Gut Health?

Plant-based Diets Improve Gut Health

It’s no surprise that what we put in our bodies affects our health. However, research shows that there is a major difference in gut health between people who eat plant-based diets (such as vegans and vegetarians) versus those who partake in an omnivorous diet. 

Plants contain loads of nutrients that feed our good bacteria and promote the development of a more diverse gut microbial system. 

A diverse microbiota has a positive association with long-term fruit and vegetable intake, which affects BMI, obesity, and arterial compliance.

It’s not just fruits and veggies though. Adding whole-grain barley, brown rice, or a mixture of the two increases microbial diversity. Our gut microbes are varied in their DNA and flourish on a variety of fibres. The key is consuming a variety of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. 

A poor diet, even a plant-based one, cancels it out.

Fibers help healthy bacterial thrive

More fiber equals more microbes which means a better defense against sickness, less inflammation, and improved digestion. Diversifying the types of high-fiber foods helps with the microbial composition.

Eating the same plant-based foods every week isn’t enough

The goal is to get as many nutrients from each food as possible. When we eat the same type of food, we deplete the diversity of the microbiome. Eating plant-based foods does not mean you’ll automatically have a healthy gut. In fact, ultra-processed and sugary foods deprive the body of important nutrients.

Tribes with the healthiest microbiome forage and eat over 100 plants a week.

Eat for Your Gut

To sum it up, eat a variety of plant-based foods! Your gut and body will thank you. 

We have dozens of plant-based recipes for you to try out here.

We distilled info from this research to create this blog.