"Is Your Gut Microbiome Sabotaging Your Health?" by Anna Abel

As a health-conscious consumer, you’ve probably heard all of the talk about gut health. 

Here's the scoop: researchers have unearthed the starring role your gut microbiome plays in keeping disease at bay. Yep, those little bugs chilling out in your digestive system are like the guardians of your health, keeping everything in check and making sure you feel your best. 

And, not surprisingly, your diet plays a major role in nurturing these microscopic superheroes.

What Is The Gut Microbiome?

Think of your microbiome as your own personal ecosystem of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms. They're the MVPs of digestion, helping break down food, absorb nutrients, and even regulate your mood. 

But here's the kicker: not all microbiomes are created equal. 

Our gut microbiomes are our own internal ecosystems. Each of us has our own unique mix of bacteria…while some people have a bustling cityscape of microbes, others have more of a quiet countryside vibe. And here's where it gets interesting…research has uncovered that those dealing with weight struggles or certain health issues often have less diverse gut communities.

A rich mix of microbes can do wonders for our health, from lowering the risk of serious diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's to giving our immune system a boost and helping us maintain a healthy weight.

Unfortunately, our modern diets aren't doing us any favors in the gut diversity department. The Western way of eating over-processed foods and removed nutrients leads to less variety in our gut flora and fauna, which can wreak havoc on our long-term well-being.

Fuel Your Microbiome With Fiber and Real Foods

So, how do we give our microbiome a little TLC and get those good bugs buzzing?  By keeping it simple: opt for real, whole foods, stick with the basics, and don't forget about fiber! 

And here's where things get tasty. Enter Yummmm! Bars, the real-food snack superheroes crafted with your gut in mind. Our flavor of the month, Manifest-Your-Delish, is loaded with ingredients specifically chosen to keep your microbiome thriving.

The star of this bar: pumpkin seeds. These little green powerhouses are packed with fiber, which acts as fuel for your gut bacteria. Plus, they're loaded with essential nutrients like magnesium and zinc, making them a nutrient-rich addition to your diet. And pumpkin seeds are also a good source of antioxidants, helping to grow the good bugs in your gut.

But wait, there's more! Chia seeds and oats, two other key players in our pumpkin seed Yummmm!Bar, are also fiber-rich champions. Great sources of fiber can be hard to find in snack foods…but the oats and chia seeds in our bars not only keep you feeling full and satisfied but also provide a steady stream of fuel that keeps your microbiome happy and healthy.

And let's not forget about cranberries, those tart little gems that pack a punch when it comes to fighting off any bad bacteria that may enter your system!

Rounding out this star line-up of ingredients is…maple syrup, the sweetener used in Yummmm!Bar. Maple syrup isn't just tasty—it's also potentially a prebiotic. Think of a prebiotic as a gourmet feast for our guts…they're specialized plant fibers that nourish the good bacteria living in our digestive system. So, that dash of sweetness the maple syrup in our bars provides also can give our microbes the fuel they need to thrive.

Simple Ingredients, Happy Gut

At Yummmm! Bar, we believe in keeping things simple. We skip the unnecessary processing and artificial stuff, so you get nothing but clean, wholesome ingredients in every bite. Because when your gut is happy, you're happy—and that's something worth savoring.

So, the next time you reach for a snack, why not choose one that nourishes your body from the inside out? With Yummmm! Bars, you're not just fueling up, you're feeding your gut garden with the goodness it craves. Start snacking better today for lasting health. 

Thank you to our guest contributor, Anna Abel:

*This article is paid for and sponsored by Yummm Bar from EnAbel Your Health.

Anna Abel is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Nutrition as well as a background in functional nutrition. She loves food, the comfort it brings us, the way it brings people together and of course the healing it can bring, too! She practices with gentle nutrition and has a passion for working with individuals who suffer from chronic illness and pain to help them regain control of their life.

If you’re interested in a deep dive on some of the recent research on the critical role gut health plays in overall human health, check out these resources:

Netflix Documentary: Hack Your Health: The Secrets of your Gut

Ursell LK, Metcalf JL, Parfrey LW, Knight R. Defining the human microbiome. Nutr 

Rev. 2012 Aug;70 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S38-44. 

doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00493.x. PMID: 22861806; PMCID: PMC3426293. 

NIH STAFF. (2024, March 22). Microbiome. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/microbiome#:~:text=They%20protect%20us%20against%20pathogens,respond%20to%20certain%20environmental%20substances.