You’re Only 10% Human
(Snack on that)
The other 90% of you? Microbes. Lots and lots of microbes. And they’ve got some big opinions about what you eat.
From the moment you are born to about two years old, your gut becomes the home to bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These little hitchhikers stick with you for the rest of your life and determine so much about your health and genetics.
Their skillset:
Help you break down and digest food and other nutrients
Help strengthen and regulate the immune system
Send signals to your brain
Shape cravings and mood
(Shout out to my dad for these professional illustrations!)
The good, the bad, and the meh
Microbes can be grouped into three main types: the good ones, the bad apples, and the space-taker-uppers.
The good ones → Keep you healthy and energized
The bad apples → Cause trouble if they take over
The space-taker-uppers → Don’t do too much, but benefit from the food and shelter that you provide
The forest inside you.
Only there are fewer bears and more glow worms (not literally, but you get the idea).
Think of your microbiome like your own personal forest. The more species you have, the healthier it is. Each organism feeds on different foods, so only eating foods in a certain category can be a recipe for disaster. Are you only eating sugary foods? Well, you can expect the “bad apples” to throw a party and force the helpful ones to die out.
In other words: Dinner’s on you.
Veggies & fiber = A large variety of microbes thrive
Sugars & starch = Destruction takes over
Balance = Healthiest version of you
Why it matters
A less diverse microbiome has been linked to conditions like obesity, ADHD, Parkinson’s, and even some cancers. In other words, your snack choices work their way all the way down to affect your DNA.