Gut health topics are all the trend right now… and for good reason! The trillions of microbes in your gut, along with their genetic material, make up your gut microbiome. Your gut, and all the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea that live there, play a key role in your total health and well-being. An imbalance in the amount and different types of gut microbes could increase your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. There’s also a connection with brain and mood-related disorders such as depression, anxiety, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.

Why exactly does an imbalance of your gut microbiome have such a big impact? For one, your gut helps enhance nutrient absorption from the food you’re eating. The microbes in your gut make vitamins for your body and help with digestion. A well-balanced gut microbiome also helps regulate your immune system and manage your moods. So if things are off, there’s a lot that can go wrong. While the science is a wee bit complicated, keeping your gut microbes happy and balanced doesn’t have to be rocket science.

So, as we head into a new year and you start making new healthy resolutions, here are 5 simple tips you can add to help support a healthier gut microbiome.