The residents of our gut microbiome may be tiny, but these mini microbes can influence life in unexpected ways… from your mood to your immune system.
While scientists are still uncovering everything the gut microbiome can do, one thing’s clear: it plays a crucial role in how we feel, digest, and even think. The more we learn, the weirder (and more wonderful) it gets!
Here are 10 weird and wonderful facts about your gut microbiome…
1. We’re outnumbered!
Current estimates suggest that we have more microbes in our body than human cells, with about 38 trillion microbes compared to 30 trillion human cells.
We have microbiomes throughout our body, from our skin to our lungs, but our gut microbiome has the largest population of microbes!
2. It weighs the same as an apple
If you were to weigh every single micro-organism in your gut microbiome (every bacteria, virus and fungi!), it could weigh as much as a large apple or half a tin of beans — that’s about 200g!
Or as much as an adult hamster… according to Guts UK, the national charity for the digestive system!
3. Your gut microbiome can change your mood
Many studies now closely link our gut microbiome to our mental wellbeing.
Our gut microbiome is in constant communication with our brain via the gut-brain axis, which means that changes to our gut microbiome may start to affect our mental health.
Certain populations of gut bacteria have even being linked to depression while others play a role in the manufacture of serotonin, a hormone that plays a crucial role in mood regulation.
Related Read | The Gut-Brain Axis: The Gut Microbiome And Wellbeing
4. It can protect us from illnesses
Our gut microbiome is very closely involved in immune and metabolic function (70% of our immune cells are found in the gut!).
From training our immune cells to identify bad bacteria to physically 'blocking' pathogens from accessing the gut wall (and interacting with our bloodstream). A healthy gut microbiome is a crucial ally for our health and well-being.
5. Your environment changes your gut microbiome
Genetics, diet, medication, illness, and weight can all influence the diversity and population of our gut microbiome.
But our environment and lifestyle habits can determine which bacteria are most likely to inhabit our gut microbiome too.
This means the gut microbiome of an office worker in London would be wildly different to a farmer on the Isle of Skye!
6. Changing your diet can affect your microbiome in 3 days
Switching up your diet can have a positive (or negative!) effect on your gut microbiome within as little as 3 days.
This means boosting the amount of prebiotic fibre in your diet, which feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut, can start to positively affect your gut microbiome in under a week.
But it also means consistency and routine are key when it comes to maintaining good gut health.
7. It can affect how well we sleep
Our sleep patterns and gut microbiome can have a powerful influence on each other.
Your gut microbiome follows its own daily rhythm. And, just like you, too many late nights or disrupted sleep can throw this internal clock off balance, affecting the diversity of your gut bacteria.
Certain microbes are also responsible for producing serotonin, a key chemical that supports healthy sleep patterns. An imbalance in these bacteria can affect our sleep cycles.
8. We develop a gut microbiome before we’re born…
It was once thought that the womb was sterile, but new evidence shows our gut microbiome actually begins to develop before we’re born.
Our gut microbiome can then be diversified by vaginal birth, breastfeeding and skin to skin contact and everything else we interact with, before becoming fully established at around 3 years old!
9. Western gut microbiomes are less diverse
A number of studies over the last decade found that the average Western gut microbiome is MUCH less diverse compared to less developed or more rural locations.
Diet plays a big role in this, but it’s also thought to be our disconnect from nature and our limited exposure to natural environments.
Spot the difference between this paved street in Devon vs a rural, leafy village in Sri Lanka.
Related Read | 8 Ways to Embrace Nature’s Microbes And Boost Your Microbiome
10. Our gut microbiome produces beneficial nutrients
The bacteria in our gut help us digest dietary fibre and complex carbs, but did you know they are also responsible for producing essential nutrients for us?
From vitamins B9, B12 and K (which aid in energy production and blood clotting) to short-chain fatty acids (that support our gut lining). Our gut microbiome is like a mini 'nutrient factory' that can synthesise several nutrients that our body needs.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a bacterium that produces a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate. It’s a substance that helps to protect gut cells and stimulate immune cell activity!
Just like a garden, our gut microbiome needs tending to from time to time.
From prebiotic fibre (which Gut UK calls the ’fertiliser’) to water (essential for our gut and our gardens!). It’s important to look after your gut microbiome to protect your wellbeing.
