Kitchen Garden Guides

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Humans are 90% bacteria…. but which bacteria are you?

It is so obvious really, but sometimes breakthroughs and discoveries are like that. We all know that probiotics are helpful bacteria that live in our digestive system and many people buy certain yoghurts and supplements that contain a very particular range of probiotics.

It is also well known that an acidic diet, one high in sugary foods for example, is not friendly to these bacteria….. hence people try adding them to their diet (instead of removing the sugar!).

But, take this one step further and ask another question “What other bacteria live in our bodies and what are they doing?” Well, it seems that the answers are quite amazing and many diseases and conditions are being linked to the absence or presence of certain bacteria. Moreover, it is the food we eat that feeds these bacteria, so if we eat a good diet, our range of bacteria stays in harmony and we stay well. If we have a poor, highly processed diet then this feeds a different range of bacteria which upsets the balance, our immunity is compromised and our health suffers.

You can listen to a brief explanation here. Another study looked at fasting or calorie restriction and found that this promotes beneficial bacteria. Read more here.

So, get out there and grow mountains of delicious greens!!

1 comment:

Linda said...

I feel I like shouting hallelujah except I've been feeling so run down of late. Though I think that's due to being too busy, not our diet. I often look at Buddy Boy and wonder if he is doing so well because of his diet full of fruit and veg. It seems feasible to me that children with Down syndrome would have better brain development if fed the right diet. As for calorie restriction..... My kids never stop eating!! I think I'll put that one in the too hard basket for now!