Diet drives the microbiome. And the more diverse your diet, the healthier and happier your gut bugs.
But current agricultural practices as well as climate changes have contributed to a loss of diversity in what we eat. About 75 percent of the world’s population consumes on the average, only five animal species and 12 plant species. Of those 12 plant types, rice, maize and wheat contribute 60 percent to all of those calories.
In the US, people’s menus are variations on a theme of the same old foods—wheat, eggs, dairy, beef, chicken, salmon and sugar.
Even a raw foodie might hang out with almonds, flaxseed, chia, kale and lettuce.
All healthy ecosystems are diverse.
In almost every disease state so far researched, the microbiome, the organ of good to bad bacteria inside the intestinal tract, has lost its diversity.
For example, people with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes have a different microbiome makeup than people without those health conditions. They have less bugs, less healthy bugs, both which cause blood sugar issues, increased appetite, and slower transit time (constipation).
Think about how you and how many different foods you eat.
Be diverse.
Eat on the wild side and try new things.
Your microbiome will be happy you did.
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT). “Diversifying your diet may make your gut healthier.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 July 2015.