The #1 Most Important Food to Eat Every Day, Says Science

It’s shocking how much of our health is connected to our gut. the gut microbiome—the bacteria and microbes in your digestive tract —has been linked to better cognitive health, immune systemand even mental health. feeding your gut the right foods is key to keeping your gut happy and healthy, and according to the results of the American Gut Projectthe most important foods to eat every day for your gut are plants.

Not just one particular plant, but a variety of plants makes a big difference to the health of your gut microbiome. Study participants who ate more than 30 different plants per week had diverse gut microbiomes with thriving bacteria compared to those who ate 10 or fewer plants. According to microorganismsA reduction in the variety of bacteria in the gut has been linked to an increased risk of intestinal disorders, as well as metabolic and neurological disorders.

While the types of diets didn’t seem to matter much (whether vegetarian, vegan, or otherwise), the variety of plants made a significant difference to the bacteria in the gut.

“Plants” can mean a variety of things, not just vegetables. While other types of vegetables are important, plant foods can also include fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, beans, and even whole grains. However, Current Developments in Nutrition shows that plants rich in prebiotic dietary fiberin particular, they are known for keeping the bacteria in your gut thriving and happy.

prebiotic foods They’re also known to feed the current bacteria in your gut and keep the microbiome thriving, which includes legumes, spinach, oats, wild blueberries, and more. probiotics they are known to diversify the bacteria in your gut, so having foods like Greek yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and pickles in your diet is also vital.

'The nutrients we require are what animals have' - food scientist

In general, striving for a variety of plants in your diet is great for keeping your gut microbiome diverse with bacteria, which obviously helps your overall health. Getting plants into every meal every day is vital for a healthy gut microbiome, while keeping you full and satisfied.

Along with these foods, here are The #1 Best Juice to Drink Every Day, Science Says.