Recent trends in the health industry have focused almost entirely on the importance of a strong gut and gut microbes and the biome. What do these words mean? Is it a fad or is there some substance to these claims? Let us find out.
It may sound creepy but our bodies have more bacterial cells than human cells. Bacteria live on the skin, in the nose and ears, and, most of all, in the gut. Till recently, scientists thought that gut bacteria aid in digestion and do nothing more but more studies have shown that there is a lot of interaction between the body’s immune system and bacteria in the gut, which affects all major systems in the body. It is the most intimate part where the outside world interacts with and affects our inside world. This is the reason why human gut bacteria has achieved celebrity status; especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The digestive system is at the heart of our immune system; after all, we are what we eat, and what we eat gets absorbed in the digestive system. Food is broken down during the digestion process and the nutrients are absorbed by the intestines or the gut.
- Gut flora or gut microbiota are the microorganisms, about 100 trillion bacteria, 1,000 different species, both good and bad, living in the intestines that help absorb nutrients and promote a healthy body. Each of us has a different bacteria mix based on age, diet, environment, genes, and medications (particularly exposure to antibiotics, which can deplete gut bacteria).
- Our gut microbiota metabolizes nutrients from food and certain medications, serves as a protective barrier against intestinal infections, and produces vitamin K, which helps make blood-clotting proteins.
While a healthy and balanced gut microbe environment helps fight off illnesses, improve mood and energy levels, an unhealthy or imbalanced gut caused by stress, poor eating and sleeping habits, excessive antibiotics, can lead to diseases, depression, and other ills. Due to the diversity of the gut biome, it is hard to separate out the good bacteria but suffice to say that more and more scientific studies are pointing out the benefits of introducing good bacteria into the system, through food and drinks, in fighting illnesses such as depression, cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.
So how do we find out if the bacteria in our gut are happy or not? And what should we eat to keep them happy and multiplying? If you feel good every day, are in a good mood, poop regularly, chances are that your gut microbiota is balanced and thriving. But if you suffer from constant bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, and get regular infections, chances are your gut needs more good bacteria. And the easiest way to do this is through a balanced diet rich in fiber and fermented foods/drinks (such as sauerkraut, pickles, miso, certain types of yogurt, kefir, and kombucha). Though probiotic supplements are easier to take, science is divided on its overall effectiveness.
Booch offers several fermented products in addition to our signature kombucha and jun drinks to help you strengthen your gut biome, and they are all made with fresh, organic ingredients sourced from local farmers. A diverse gut ecosystem makes for a happier/healthier you. So get in touch with your gut bacteria today, feed it some tasty kombucha and ferments and feel the best you can feel!