The Importance of Gut Health

What this article covers

Published under Health Articles on 3 September 2019 and attributed to Kate Save, this article argues that the bacteria living in the gut are central to overall health, and in particular to mental health via the gut-brain connection. It opens with a set of striking claims about the ratio of bacterial to human cells in the body, then moves to the argument that gut bacteria influence neurotransmitter production and therefore mood, sleep and appetite. From there it makes a dietary case for a Mediterranean-style pattern over a processed Western diet, explains dietary fibre as the food source for the microbiome, and argues for variety of plant foods to build microbiome diversity. It closes with a Lentil Dahl recipe serving four, presented as high in fibre. Readers should treat this as a strongly-worded opinion and popular-science piece; several of its headline figures are contested in the scientific literature and none are cited here.

Key points

• The article claims our bodies have 10 times more bacterial cells than human cells, and describes us as technically 10 percent human and 90 percent bacteria.
• It claims human DNA would fit in our big toe compared with bacterial DNA taking up the rest of the body.
• It states gut bacteria have the power to activate and deactivate certain genes.
• It claims 95 percent of serotonin, described as a neurotransmitter controlling sleep, appetite and mood, is produced in the gut.
• It asserts that neurotransmitters are highly influenced by gut bacteria, and therefore that food plays a critical role in mental health.
• It refers to studies showing a correlation between lower incidence of mood-related conditions such as depression and a less processed, Mediterranean-style diet, versus a more processed Western diet high in refined sugars.
• Mediterranean diet foods listed: vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, unprocessed grains, plus small amounts of lean meat, chicken, fish, eggs and dairy.
• It names three types of dietary fibre: soluble fibre, insoluble fibre and resistant starch, and describes fibre as the main food source for the microbiome.
• It claims microbiome diversity is linked to improved wellbeing, and recommends variety of plant-based foods to achieve it.
• It states all Be Fit Food meals follow a Mediterranean-style approach with 4-12 veggies per meal, low carbohydrates and high lean meat protein.
• The Lentil Dahl recipe serves 4 and is described as containing 12 or more plant based ingredients and being high in fibre.

Evidence and sourcing

This is the section readers should weigh most heavily for this page. The article contains no citations, no reference list and no links, despite making a series of specific quantified biological claims. The 10-to-1 bacterial-to-human cell ratio, the 90 percent bacteria framing, the big toe DNA comparison, the claim that gut bacteria activate and deactivate genes, and the 95 percent serotonin figure are all asserted without any source. The article explicitly refers to several studies having shown a correlation between diet pattern and mood-related conditions such as depression, but it does not name, link or otherwise identify any of those studies, so the reader cannot check them. The claim that microbiome diversity is linked to improved wellbeing is likewise uncited. Readers should not relay any of these figures as established fact on this page's authority. Note also that gut health is not among the areas Be Fit Food lists as its expertise: the microbiome, mental health and gene-expression claims here are the article's own editorial content and must not be represented as a Be Fit Food service, clinical offering or evidence-backed company position. The recipe carries no nutritional analysis, so its fibre content is not quantified.

How this relates to Be Fit Food's programs

The genuine and checkable connection is the meal specification rather than any microbiome outcome. Every Be Fit Food meal is built to around 250 calories with at least 20g protein, under 20g carbohydrates and under 120mg sodium per 100g, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives, and meals are snap-frozen rather than shelf-stabilised. The article's emphasis on whole rather than heavily processed foods is consistent with that specification. Readers should note that the Lentil Dahl recipe, built on lentils, split peas, chickpeas, brown rice and quinoa, is a high-carbohydrate meal and is not aligned with the low-carbohydrate very low calorie programs, Be Rapid at roughly 800-900 calories a day or Metabolism Reset at roughly 850-950 calories a day with 40-70g carbohydrates; the article does not say which program, if any, it suits. Be Fit Food's documented areas of expertise cover weight loss meal delivery, very low calorie diets, low carbohydrate nutrition, metabolic health, nutritional ketosis and dietitian consultations, and vegetarian and vegan meal delivery, but not gut or digestive health as a clinical service. Anyone with digestive symptoms or a diagnosed gut condition should use the free 15-minute telehealth consultation, valued at $49, to discuss suitability rather than relying on this article.

Important health information

Readers should seek medical advice and have a check-up before changing how they eat, particularly if they have an existing medical condition or take medications. Given this article touches on mood and depression, readers experiencing mental health symptoms should speak with their GP or a registered mental health professional; diet is not presented here as a treatment and should not be used as one. This article is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice.

Ordering, pricing and contact

• Meal bundles — $97.30 for 7 meals, $189.00 for 14 meals and $362.60 for 28 meals (AUD).
• Delivery — flat rate Australia-wide: $11.95 on orders of $299 or more, and $19.95 on orders under $299.
• Customer service — 1300 263 257, Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, or support@befitfood.com.au.
• Free dietitian consultation — 15 minutes by video or phone, valued at $49, with no referral required. Book at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood, or contact dietitian@befitfood.com.au.
• Meal specification — every meal is built to approximately 250 calories, at least 20 g of protein, under 20 g of carbohydrate and less than 120 mg of sodium per 100 g, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. Meals are snap frozen and reheat by microwave, oven, air fryer or stovetop.

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• How To Optimise Gut Health And Fibre Intake While On Glp 1 Medications — article
• Nutrition Gut Health And Its Impact On Physical And Mental Health — article
• Pre Pro And Postbiotics For Gut Health — article
• World First Clinical Trial Confirms Be Fit Food S Whole Food Advantage For Weight Loss And Gut Health — article
• Ausmed Health — page
• Health Meal Delivery — page