Most of us glance down the snack isle at the supermarket, and perhaps grab a ‘healthier’ bag of chips or dark chocolate as a treat. The rest of our shopping cart will be full of veges, and healthier options.
Why?
We are mindful of our diet for health reasons – mostly maintaining a healthy weight. Turns out, there is another super important reason to eat healthily – to maintain the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut for our happiness!
Research from the US National Institute of Mental Health and a number of medical research centres around the world is proving that there is an ecosystem of organisms living in our digestive system (or ‘microbiome’) that directly affects our moods. The microbiome weighs approximately 2kg, which is heavier than the average brain! It is made up of organisms including bacteria, yeasts, and funghi. Sound a bit unappetising? Wait for it, its worth hanging in to understand.
Gut bacteria manufacture 95 percent of your body’s supply of serotonin – an important neurochemical that affects digestion, mood, and sleep. Ways to maintain healthy bacteria include taking probiotics, eating more whole foods, and being mindful of antiobiotics, tap water and sugar (so choosing the darkest organic chocolate!).
This is our considered but brief and light introduction to the topic. For further information please check out:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling.aspx
https://chopra.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-mood-with-a-healthy-gut