Our gut has a bigger impact on us and our body than some people realize.
Today we have collected some incredible facts about the gut for you and give you tips on how to keep your gut healthy.
Facts about our intestines
1. As it would be too long with its length of up to 8 meters, nature has simply laid our intestines in folds and villi. Clever!
2. Its total surface area of 300-500 square meters is impressive, while its diameter is only a few centimeters.
3. The intestine, incidentally our largest immune organ, is home to over 500 species of tiny microorganisms that help our body stay healthy.
4. More than 100 trillion of these tiny creatures colonize our intestines. If you add up their weight, they alone account for around 2 kg of our body weight.
5. 70% of our immune defense is controlled by our gut.
6. The gut is the only organ that acts autonomously, i.e. is not controlled by the brain. Although the two are best buddies and closely connected, nerve cords primarily run from the gut to the brain. Also known as the gut-brain axis.
7. Our gut can perceive sensations, processes sensory impressions and then passes these on to the brain - our intuition. Even the "flying butterflies" come from the gut.
8. With the help of tens of millions of nerve cells, the gut regulates itself. It only needs our support in the event of disorders such as chronic illnesses, irritable bowel synd rome and the like. We should then pay attention to our diet and support it daily with lactic acid bacteria (probiotics).
9. Studies have shown that the gut can play a role in depression or depressive moods. The reason for this is its aforementioned involvement in the perception of sensations and their transmission to the brain. If things are not right in the gut, we are usually not happy. The happiness hormone serotonin is also largely produced in the gut.
10. Although it does such an incredible job, our gut is a sensitive little thing. Stress, poor diet, grief - it can react to all of these with constipation, diarrhoea or flatulence.
11. Our gut is highly productive - up to 30 tons of food and 50,000 liters of fluid pass through it during our lifetime. Unimaginable!
12. According to studies, the appendix may not be as useless as we all think. Apparently, our little intestinal friends use it as a refuge. Why, however, has not yet been precisely researched.
13. Bifidobacteria are extremely helpful bacteria that protect our body from harmful genera and counteract the growth of tumors.
14. The best way to support them is with a prebiotic diet or supplementary prebiotics, such as the acacia fiber powder GROW, which consists of 80% soluble fiber for the intestine.
15. Digestion begins in the mouth. Through Chewing and saliva are how we prepare food. Conversely, the gut also has an influence on teeth and gums. Periodontal disease, for example, is said to be closely linked to an imbalance in the intestinal flora.
How you can support your gut & gut flora
Our gut is a marvel. Creating a good basis for it should therefore be our top priority.
We can actively support it in its work, e.g. with the following tips:
- Cook for yourself and with fresh ingredients
- Include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet
- Include probiotic foods in your diet(e.g. sauerkraut, yoghurt, kefir, buttermilk)
- Eat a diet rich in fiber(whole grain products, legumes)
- Exercise or sport also keeps your digestion on its toes: so take the stairs more often instead of the elevator, go for a leisurely walk in the fresh air or hop on the ergometer
- Take care of your gut bacteria and treat them to something good, e.g. high-quality pre- & probiotics.
Keep at it - permanently. This allows our intestinal flora to build up and our little helpers, the intestinal bacteria, are happy too.
If our intestinal bacteria are happy, so are we! Take a look at our online store and if you have any questions, our support team will be happy to help you at any time :-)
Stay healthy and all the best to you!
