BEWARE THE JUNK FOOD BINGE

I recently tried out an experiment, eating processed meat, such as bacon, burgers and sausages, once or twice a day for a month. The results were shocking.

I gained weight, my blood pressure rocketed and, what’s more, my gut bacteria diversity fell dramatically. In fact, there was a major shift in my gut bacteria in favour of those linked to obesity and inflammation.

One of the reasons processed food — which includes many ready meals and takeaways — is so bad for your biome is because of the sugar, salt and fat content.

But when it comes to gut health, you also have to take into account the emulsifiers these foods contain.

Emulsifiers, a form of detergent, are routinely added to many foods, such as ice cream, cakes and margarine, to extend their shelf-life.

However, studies have shown that feeding common emulsifiers to mice encourages the growth of bacteria that attack the mucous lining of the gut.

This, in turn, leads to inflammation, which can contribute to the development of obesity and even diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

So, don’t let a junk food binge ruin your healthy gut diet. Avoid processed foods if you can.