CAN YOU REALLY TRUST YOUR GUT?

As the latest research shows that gut bacteria can affect our overall health, we look at the evidence and separate fact from fiction

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Research into the gut microbiome is growing at pace and Google searches for the topic were up by 89% in the past year. So it's little surprise that the theme for this year's Love Your Gut Week (September 15-21) is 'Meet your microbiome'.

The gut microbiome is a collection of microbes such as bacteria, fungi and viruses living in our intestines. It has a number of important jobs, including digesting and extracting nutrients from food, and has the power to impact everything from immunity and mood to heart and brain health.

Registered dietitian Jo Travers says, “Having a diverse mix of microbes in the gut can help support physical and mental wellbeing. Conversely, low diversity can put you at risk of conditions such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, eczema, arthritis, obesity and low energy levels.”

One of the easiest ways to create more diverse gut bacteria is through the food we eat. We should aim to consume a variety of plant-based and fibre-rich foods every day, including fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds. We might also take prebiotics, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

A healthy gut is also important for quality sleep. Jo says, “Studies are finding that increased microbiome diversity correlates with longer sleep times and better sleep efficiency, which is how much of the time in bed you spend asleep.”

Here, Jo helps us debunk the most common gut myths...

MYTH: BEANS ARE BAD FOR THE GUT