How our gut and brain work together in surprising ways
Close your eyes briefly and imagine your favourite meal cooked perfectly, and presented to you when you’re absolutely starving. Now imagine taking that first bite….imagine and savour the deliciousness…. Do you feel your mouth start to water?
That’s the gut brain connection at work! The gut sending messages to your brain to start the digestion process.
Studies show that the brain affects the gut and the gut affects the health of the brain, and scientists even refer to the gut now as the second brain. Although the gut can’t write a novel or learn another language, it communicates physically and chemically with the brain using an intricate system of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters and influences everything from immunity to our mental health. How cool is that! Our brain and gut continuously communicating with each other. All the more reason to eat foods that support both!
It’s literally “let food be thy medicine”.
So how does it work?
We have trillions of microbes in our gut which is called our gut microbiome. We all have a unique gut microbiome, a bit like a fingerprint and it’s influenced by diet, stress, hormones, medicines like antibiotics, and gut disorders. Having a healthy gut microbiome helps with digestion of nutrients, immune function and mood, and if replenished regularly wellness becomes an upward spiral.
If your gut is irritable (IBS or irritable bowel syndrome), health and wellness can take a downwards spiral. You literally feel irritable. Mind AND body irritability! IBS could literally stand for irritable Bowel, irritable Brain, and irritable Body Syndrome. Depression and anxiety can be linked to a gut microbiome imbalance. Just as an example, the gut microbiome is responsible for producing serotonin, one of the chemical messengers (a neurotransmitter) that is sent to the brain and is responsible for happiness. A healthy gut literally makes us happy.
What can I eat to ensure my gut microbiome is healthy?
While an integrated approach of reducing stress, regular exercise, and limiting use of antibiotics to when required (as advised by your Doctor) contributes to a healthy gut microbiome, food is a huge component. Certain foods replenish our beneficial gut microbes and it’s important to eat these foods regularly. Every day if possible. Consuming fermented milk and fermented vegetables (good quality refrigerated yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut) is an easy and enjoyable way to keep that gut brain connection working like a dream. Living Goodness foods are full of healthy live bacteria that replenish our microbiome. They taste delicious and are easy to add to breakfast, lunch and dinner. What’s more they often contain vegetables (think cabbage and veggies like beetroot) which provide fibre and nutrients... all necessary for health. It’s like positives on positives.
My favourite is the red coloured Living Goodness Heartbeet kraut and my kids love it due to it’s vibrant colour (remember too that brighter coloured vegetables offer more nutrition due to a higher antioxidant count!) Add it to lunches and dinners, it’s even great at breakfast with scrambled eggs and avocado. So load up on foods that keep the microbiome in prime condition, and happy NON irritable healthy brain, bowel and body!
Jo Davies
Photographer/Nutritionist, Be Well Clinic Taupō
BCApSc, BSc | jodaviesphotography.shootproof.com
kyndwellness.com | 53 Gillies Ave, Taupō | PH: 0272740687