Can cooking certain foods influence the gut microbiota? A team of researchers has set out to discover whether heat, which changes the properties of different foods, also affects the gut microbiota.

Studies have shown that diet, such as Paleo, high fat vs low-fat diet or Western diet, greatly impacts the gut microbiota composition even more than genetics. Surprisingly, little is known how cooking certain foods might alter the gut microbiota. Since heat changes the chemical and physical properties of foods, researchers wondered if this too affects the gut microbiota.

Occasional gastrointestinal symptoms are common in the otherwise healthy population. Most symptoms respond to dietary changes presumably via changes in the gut microbiota. Evidence shows that diet has a major impact on the gut microbiota and overall gastrointestinal health, and dietary interventions, such as consuming probiotics, especially Bifidobacterium, and the low oligo-, di-, and monosaccharide and polyol (FODMAP) diet, are recommended for different disorders. Physical activity may also improve the gut microbiota composition and appears to reduce digestive complaints, yet many studies analyzing the effects of diet and lifestyle are limited.

The infant gut microbiome is characterized as low in diversity that’s dominated primarily by bifidobacteria and unique to the individual. During approximately the first three years of life, the gut microbiome develops and is largely shaped by various factors including delivery mode (vaginal vs Cesarean birth), maternal antibiotic use, home environment and breastfeeding vs formula feeding. The gut microbiome is later influenced by diet and how long the child was breastfed which affects the gut microbiota composition later in early childhood.

Several recent studies have shed light on the benefits breastmilk have on infant health and their developing gut microbiomes because it contains various components, such as beneficial bacteria, prebiotics called human milk oligosaccharides as well as immune cells, that confer long-term benefits for babies’ health including preventing malnutrition. Additionally, breastfed babies have been found to have less instances of allergies and metabolic disease, yet it is unknown how breastfeeding practices (i.e. nursing vs. pumping) affects the breastmilk composition and infant gut microbiome.

Pumping breastmilk has become a popular and convenient way for mothers to continue to feed their babies breastmilk, yet it is unknown as to whether this method affects the transfer of other non-milk-derived bacteria from the pump or bottles compared to maternal skin for example.

The importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome has been gaining more attention. 

The gut microbiome contains trillions of microorganisms, most of which are bacteria, and plays a major role in various aspects of our health. 

Probiotics and fiber have gotten a lot of fanfare lately when it comes to gut health, but in order to feed the “good bugs” or beneficial bacteria in our intestines, we also need to eat adequate prebiotics. 

Unlike probiotics, prebiotics are not live microorganisms, and although most prebiotics are different types of fiber, not all prebiotics are fiber. So what are they?

Ever since I was a little kid I have had stomach issues- vomiting, susceptible to stomach bugs, gas, bloating, etc. You name it, I’ve experienced it.

Unfortunately, as I grew older into my adult years, I didn’t outgrow my sensitive stomach. I finally went to a gastroenterologist who concluded that despite my symptoms of heartburn, gas, bloating and diarrhea, all I had was a mild case of acid reflux for which he prescribed me stomach acid blocking medicine.

I left his office infuriated because I knew that an antacid would not solve my underlying digestive issues, so I started to do my own research about digestive health and the gut microbiome and the role diet and lifestyle play in overall gut health, which has led me to publish various peer review articles about the gut microbiome and overall health. With some dietary and lifestyle changes I healed my gut which has greatly impacted my overall health and energy levels.

While we are in the midst of mandatory lockdowns around the world for the covid-19 pandemic, I can’t help but think that staying at home inside is probably the worst thing we can do for our immune systems, which has been stated by experts.

I know it’s radical to say this but excessively washing your hands, bathing and sanitizing your homes is not conducive of a healthy microbiome and therefore immune system.

This goes against everything we’ve been taught.

Ever have to run to the bathroom every time you’re anxious or stressed?

Do you get butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous?

The connection between our mood and digestive symptoms is due to what’s called the gut-brain axis.

The key to your mental health could lie in your gut.

What is the gut-brain axis?

Exciting new studies in the field of gut microbiome research have shown that the trillions of microbes that reside in our intestines affect our mood and vice versa in what’s now called the gut-brain axis.