The Microbiota: 100,000 Billion Lives in Our Hands

Healthy eating
Digestive health
Withe cups of tea in black plates
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Did you know that we have more than 100,000 billion small organisms living inside us and that what you eat influences their fate? It is more than 10 times the world population! Bet you will never feel alone again.

New discoveries about the workers of our health

Moreover, you must monitor your diet to properly treat these small workers in your digestive system since they have much more impact on your health than you think.

Studies are constantly growing on this subject. We even call the microbiota "the forgotten organ". It performs several tasks related to the metabolism of substances in food for the proper functioning of our body and the immune system. If we do not pay attention to these small lives, it can result in dysbiosis, a disruption of intestinal microorganisms.

Moreover, some diseases are associated with this type of imbalance, such as:

• autoimmune diseases, allergies

• Inflammatory bowel diseases and digestive disorders

• colorectal cancers

• diabetes

• obesity

Current research is also increasingly exploring the link between intestinal flora, brain, neurological diseases and mental health.

How to feed our friends

It should be known that there are nearly 1000 different species of microorganisms known to date (good and bad microorganisms). Each individual carries with them an intestinal flora of their own. The composition of our microbiota and its health depend on many factors such as our genetics, our environment and our diet! So, fortunately, it is possible to pamper and multiply the good little workers and to chase the bad ones from our digestive tract by eating properly.

To do this, we must especially reduce our consumption of :

• fat (specifically trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids)

• concentrated sugars (added sugars)

• food additives On the contrary, we must make sure to integrate as often as possible:

• fibers

• polyphenols

1. Limit your consumption of ultra-processed products such as fries, pastries, confectionery, soft drinks, cold cuts, etc.

They often contain a large amount of salt, bad fats, sugars, but also food additives and artificial sweeteners, red meats and animal fats.

2. Increase your intake of whole fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains and tea.

For example, you can add more veggies in your snacks or cook them in a stir fry. In addition, remember that the variety and the different colors of food are synonymous with various benefits. Speaking of adding vegetables, try our Masson taco pot recipe.

Remember to think about the health of our little friends who were until recently underestimated and unexplored. Moreover, if you have questions about it, your nutritionist can enlighten you.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Drummondville