5 worst things you're doing to your gut

It’s estimated that about 39 trillion bacterial cells reside in the human body, the vast majority in the colon. Together with other microbes, these bacteria make up the gut microbiome.

Scientists know the microbiome aids in digestion and influences our immune and nervous systems. But they’re only beginning to understand the extent to which it affects our health overall. Recent studies suggest that gut bacteria may also shape our risk of developing a range of conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and some cancers. The research, however, is largely new and limited in scope, and has been done mostly on animals.

“It’s in its relative infancy compared to other aspects of medical science,” says R. Stuart Bridge, MD, a gastroenterologist in Salt Lake City. “And clinical applications of this kind of knowledge of the microbiome are still being developed.”

In the meantime, we can help the most beneficial members of the microbiome flourish—in terms of numbers and variety—by practicing a healthy lifestyle and avoiding some potentially detrimental habits. Here are some of the worst things you can do for your gut and its community of helpful bugs.