Inside the gut health craze

From better digestion to brighter moods, the microbiome is now the ultimate beauty and wellness secret weapon

- GN Focus Report

Move over, kale smoothies and charcoal cleanses — there's a new wellness darling in town, and it's not afraid to get a little dirty.

Gut health has taken centre stage in the global wellness arena, with the microbiome — a bustling community of trillions of microorganisms residing in our digestive tract — being hailed as the MVP of our overall well-being. But how did this internal ecosystem become the poster child for health enthusiasts worldwide?

Rise of the microbiome

Once relegated to the esoteric corners of scientific research, the gut microbiome has now infiltrated mainstream consciousness. This surge in popularity is not without merit; emerging studies have illuminated the profound impact these microscopic inhabitants have on various facets of health, from digestion to mental clarity.

Dr James Kinross, a gastrointestinal surgeon and researcher at Imperial College London, emphasised the significance of the gut microbiome in disease prevention. He noted that environmental factors such as diets rich in ultra-processed foods, overuse of antibiotics, and reduced contact with nature have disrupted gut health, leading to a “generational loss” in microbial diversity. This decline is linked to rising rates of conditions like colon cancer, especially among individuals under 50. To combat this, Dr Kinross advocated for a diet abundant in dietary fibre, minimising red and processed meat intake, and incorporating fermented foods to promote a resilient gut microbiome.

He stated, "What I really want in my gut is diversity, and the way you get that is by having a really good diverse diet which is really high in fibre."