New Research Says Consuming More of This Can Improve Gut Health

According to research, including more plants in your diet can improve the health of your gut over time—especially if you consume a variety of fruits and vegetables every week. In a study conducted by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine’s American Gut Project, individuals who consumed over 30 different plant species in a single week had a more varied gut microbiota than those who consumed only 10 or fewer kinds.

Over 11,000 Volunteers Participated

The volunteers are mostly from the United States and the United Kingdom but also from 42 other nations, providing the researchers with the data. Over 15,000 stool samples were submitted by participants for the evaluation of gut flora. According to their analysis, consuming more than 30 different types of plants in a week results in a diversified gut flora regardless of the diet one follows. There are several ways that a healthy stomach is related to the body’s health, and they’re becoming more widely recognized recently.

Gut Health Is Important

The gut microbiome, which is mostly found in the small and large intestines, is a thriving colony of bacteria rather than a specific bodily organ. Due to the numerous ways the microbiome affects the body’s health and functioning, according to Harvard Health, it’s regarded as a supporting organ.

The most prevalent microorganisms in the stomach are pathogenic and symbiotic. While a balanced microbiota would be present in a healthy gut, some conditions, such as infections, poor diets, or extended antibiotic usage, can lead to dysbiosis, an imbalance of the microbiota that increases the risk of disease. Even more recently, studies have discovered connections between poor gut health, depression, and the mental health of individuals.