Love your gut

Looking after your friendly bacteria is about more than easing your digestion – it could supercharge your health

If you only do one thing for your health this year, pay some attention to your gut. You have a community of bugs living in it – called the microbiome. Doctors used to think these were just involved with digestion but the latest science shows they have an impact on your wider health. They play an important role in immunity – without good gut bugs, you’ll be more susceptible to colds and food poisoning. They could also help you keep your waistline in check because, according to researchers, having lots of different healthy bacteria in your gut makes you more likely to be slim. Topping up your microbiome could also reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. How happy your gut is also affects how happy you are. Experts have known for some time that the brain and gut are connected, but the link goes beyond anxiety making your stomach churn. Your gut is lined with more than 100 million neurons (cells that carry messages around your body), these pass on chemical messages produced by your gut bacteria all the way up to your brain. One study found that eating yogurt with live bacteria every day could help to improve your brain function, boost your mood and lower anxiety. Some scientists even predict that ‘psychobiotics’ – medicines based on good bacteria – could help beat depression. So a good community of friendly gut bacteria can support your wellbeing – including your digestive system – in all sorts of ways. Unfortunately, lots of us lack those good bacteria for various reasons such as taking antibiotics, being too clean, too much stress and poor diet. The good news is there are lots of steps you can take to make your gut – and the rest of your body – happy and healthy.