10 Fun Facts About Your Gut

“Heal the gut and you heal yourself.” – Gerard E. Mullin, MD

01: If spread flat, your digestive system would cover an entire tennis court.

02: You have more bacteria living in your gut than cells in your body. For every one human cell in the body, there are 10 microbes.

03: The bacteria living in your gut make up about 1 kg of your body weight.

04: 80% of your immune cells are present in your gut. A healthy gut is critical to a strong immune system and fighting diseases.

05: It can take your gut flora up to one year to fully repopulate itself after just one course of antibiotics.

06: There is approximately 400x more seratonin produced in your gut than in the brain. An overgrowth of bad bacteria or a gut infection that results in inflammation can trigger anxiety or depression.  If your gut isn't happy, you aren't happy.

07: The digestive system is often called the "second brain" housing its own nervous system called the enteric nervous system. When you have a gut feeling about something, your gut is talking directly with your brain! 

08: Probiotic foods contain 'good bacteria' that populate your gut and fight off bad bacterial strains. Including prebiotic foods in your diet such as yogurt, kombucha, kefir or cultured veggies is important for a healthy gut.

09: Prebiotics are a type of fibre that cannot be digested but act as food for the gut bacteria keeping them in a healthy and balanced population. Excellent sources include jerusalem artichokes. onions, garlic, asparagus and bean. 

10: Maintaining a strong gut lining is key to keeping your gut bacteria happy and alive. Bone broth is one of the best natural remedies to keeping this gut lining tightly sealed.