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The best foods to feed your gut microbiome

The microbes in your gut can influence mental health, heart risk, weight gain and even sleep, which is why you need to eat a wider variety of quality food

September 20, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EDT
(Photo by Scott Suchman for The Washington Post; food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington Post)
6 min

Every time you eat, you are feeding trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live inside your gut. But are you feeding them the right foods?

Scientists used to know very little about these communities of microbes that collectively make up the gut microbiota, also known as your gut microbiome. But a growing body of research suggests that these vast communities of microbes are the gateway to your health and well-being — and that one of the simplest and most powerful ways to shape and nurture them is through your diet.