Food Choices for Gut Microbiome Health
Fermented food intake tied to a healthier gut.
It’s time for some “bug love”! Research directed toward the health impacts of a robust gut microbiome shows that including a few not-so-fresh foods in our diet can have a positive impact on our gut ecosystem.
As reported in Cell, consumption of fermented foods may improve overall microbial diversity in the digestive tract, while reducing levels of 19 inflammatory proteins associated with conditions like diabetes and arthritis.
To a large degree, the bacteria in our colon control our immune system. And it appears that the more fermented foods we eat, the greater the gain in bacterial diversity in our gut microbiome. That keeps inflammation on the down-low and our immune system in tiptop shape. Here are some good choices:
- kefir
- kimchi
- kombucha
- miso
- sauerkraut
- yogurt
See also: Avocados for Gut Health
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD, is a James Beard Award–winning food journalist, dietitian and author of the cookbook Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sport + Adventure (VeloPress 2016). He has written for dozens of magazines, including Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Shape, Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness.
