Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Gut Microbiome?

Much of the fiber in the food you eat reaches your colon undigested and gets broken down by your gut microbes, resulting in the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids. There’s evidence that eating more dietary fiber can improve the diversity of your gut microbiome, too, which is a good thing.

Although your gut microbiome is always fluctuating in response to your diet, your environment and even the amount of ​​sunlight you get, ​​evidence suggests it changes the most in the first two to three years of life.

Your best bet is eating ​fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi, which provide naturally ​​occurring beneficial bacteria. Research suggests probiotic supplements are often ineffective and may even delay recovery.

People living in industrialized areas tend to have less diverse gut microbiomes, according to a growing body of ​​research. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including less time spent outdoors and a ​low-fiber ​Western diet high in fat and sugar​.​