What is the microbiota?
Source : BNP Paribas validated by the Rouen University Hospital
Summary
- What is it about ?
- What is it used for ?
- How to take care of it ?
Behind this strange name is a complex system of bacteria that live in our intestines. Beyond the digestion of food, the microbiota could be a perspective in the fight against obesity.
What is it about?
We can’t see or feel it, but it plays a key role in our well-being. From a technical point of view, a microbiota is a variety of microorganisms that coexist in the same organ. These organisms are responsible for digesting and processing the food we eat, but they also have a large influence on many factors that can affect our metabolism.
What is it used for?
According to several studies, our microbiota can influence not only our digestion but also our immune system, sleep and psychological state. As you will be able to discover in many studies available on this platform, factors such as sleep and emotions can induce an increased risk of obesity.
The more processed and ultra-processed foods we consume, the less rich and active the Microbiota is. If it is less active, the quality of our sleep and our emotions will be affected. As these studies show, an individual with sleep problems and a negative emotional state will be more likely to turn to ultra-processed foods to seek comfort, thus continuing to disrupt the balance of the microbiota.
How to take care of it?
There are a few simple rules to follow to promote a healthy microbiota. First, follow a balanced diet, low in ultra-processed foods. Eat fruits and vegetables, pulses and whole grains if possible. Avoid excess sugar or alcohol, which can disrupt the microbiota.
Foods rich in pre- and probiotics can also boost the good bacteria present in the microbiota. Prebiotics are found in onions, garlic, bananas, sweet potatoes, and other root vegetables, while probiotics are found in naturally fermented foods like yogurt or salted vegetables.
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