It's no secret that we champion good gut health here at Bio&Me. In fact, we hope it's bloomin' obvious that when it comes to looking after your gut (and you in general!), we want to make things as deliciously easy for you as possible. Bio&Me was created to bring clarity and credibility to the world of gut health -. that's why we're the UK's first dedicated, evidence-based gut health food company.
But what exactly is good gut health, and why is it so important for us? Let's start at the beginning...
What does the term 'gut health' actually mean?
You'd be forgiven for thinking it only refers to our stomach. But when we talk about gut health, we're referring to the function of our entire digestive tract - all 9 metres of it!
Now, that incredible 9-metre-long tube delivers food from entry (our mouths) all the way to exit (need we say more?). Sure, our stomach has a key part to play in all this, but so does our liver, pancreas and gallbladder. It's a real team effort!
A lot happens along the way, from the first sight and smell of food to digesting such food, absorbing essential nutrients, and expelling waste products and bacteria.
So, why is gut health so important?
You may be surprised to hear that gut health is still a pretty new area of research in the science world.
It is only in the last decade or so, when scientists discovered the community of trillions of bacteria (yes, trillions!) living in our gut, that we have understood how to manage gut-related conditions better and improve overall health.
A healthy gut communicates with the brain through nerves and hormones, which helps maintain our general health and wellbeing. As well as supporting our brain, heart and skin - looking after your gut can also...
- help with weight management,
- better mental health,
- and reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and autoimmune diseases.
And the two main reasons why good gut health is essential for everyone?
1) 70% of our immune cells lay along our digestive tract. Put simply; a healthy gut contains healthy bacteria and immune cells that can ward off infections.
2) We all have trillions of bacteria in the lower part of our digestive tract. In fact, the bacteria outnumber our human cells. Incredible!
Where to start when it comes to good gut health?
Well, the good news - you've already started! By taking the time to read through this and getting some gut knowledge under your belt is a worthy first step. But consuming dietary fibre from a diverse range of sources is key to gut goodness.
All plant-based foods - including fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds - feed our bacteria and keep them happy. In fact, our founder and gut specialist Dr Megan Rossi recommends we aim for 30 different plant-based foods a week to help our biome nourish and flourish.
Source
Bio&Me Article
