To begin your journey into the gut microbiome—which consists of trillions of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other microbes living in our digestive tract—you might want to learn a few important facts about these organisms nestled deep inside us. For starters, the gut microbiome plays an important role in digestion and keeps the immune system healthy. Disturbances in the gut can contribute to diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, diabetes, obesity, and mental health disorders. But there are a number of ways that you can improve gut health, from eating certain foods to keeping stress at bay. Test your knowledge on the gut microbiome by taking this quiz.
