How does food strongly affect the intestinal tract?

There are trillions of bacteria, viruses, and mold that live on and inside the body, so maintaining a good relationship with this group of organisms is very beneficial for our bodies. In the intestinal tract, too, all these microorganisms create an extremely rich intestinal ecosystem that performs many functions for the body.

Gut bacteria are capable of resolving indigestible foods to the body, creating essential nutrients, regulating the immune system, and protecting the body from harmful pathogens. Although it is unclear what types of bacteria are beneficial for healthy bowels, but we know what is needed for a good microorganism is that it must be diverse.

There are many factors that affect the intestinal microflora, including appropriate habitats, antibiotics and even how we are born that affect the digestive system. But above all, diet is the leading factor affecting the condition of the intestinal tract. Although all factors cannot be controlled, the microbiological balance can be maintained with a healthy diet.

Fiber from foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and cereals is the best food for intestinal bacteria. When bacteria digest fiber, they produce short-chain fatty acids that help strengthen the intestinal wall, improve immune function, help prevent intestinal inflammation thereby reducing the risk of cancer. And it is obvious that the more fiber you eat, the more bacteria that digest fiber lives in your intestines.

According to a recent study, people changed their diets between two groups: the high-fiber South African group and the African-American group ate a lot of meat and fat. After only two weeks of significant changes, the South African group, after eating a low-fat diet, showed signs of a decrease in Butyrate levels - a short-chain fatty acid that is thought to reduce the risk of bowel cancer. link. Meanwhile, the American group switched to high-fiber and low-fat diets in contrast.

So when we eat prepared, low-fiber food, what are the intestinal problems? Less fiber means less food for intestinal bacteria, meaning that bacteria will no longer have food and die slowly. This causes the microbiota to be out of balance, other types of bacteria will multiply more, not only the bacteria without food will starve and attack the mucous membrane of the intestinal wall.

Through observation, scientists know that food has a strong impact on intestinal microflora. A study of microbiology shows that fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, red wine and dark chocolate all increase microbial diversity. On the other hand, high-fat foods, such as whole milk or sweetened soft drinks, degrade the diversity of intestinal microflora.

Food processing is also important and contributes to your intestinal tract. Freshly prepared fresh foods are generally better because they are high in fiber, so steaming, stir-frying and raw vegetables are generally more beneficial to the body than fried and fried dishes.

In addition, there are ways to prepare food to supplement intestinal bacteria such as natural fermented foods containing many beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. For example, dishes including kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, etc. bring diversity and added benefits to our gut. On the contrary, too much sugar is really not beneficial.

These are just some general guidelines. More research is needed before we know exactly how each type of food will interact with the intestinal ecosystem and the complex relationships that occur, because the inside of the intestine is a very difficult place to observe. direct.

Although it is only beginning to explore the world inside the gut, it does give us a glimpse of the need for health microbiology anyway. Don't worry because we can build a healthy digestive system with a diet high in fiber, fresh food and fermentation. Remember, if the intestinal tract is healthy, your body also becomes healthy.

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