Ever wonder why some days you’re on top of the world, and other days you can’t shake off the blues? The answer might be closer than you think—right in your gut. That’s right, your belly and your brain are in constant conversation, and it turns out that what’s happening in your gut can have a big impact on how you feel.
(Before I proceed with this post, I want to give a shout out to the person who requested that I write it. I know her by the name WemaGods Mugodo on Facebook)
Now let’s proceed…
Your gut influences your thoughts far more than you imagine!
Scientists are now calling our gut the “second brain” because of its profound influence on our thoughts and emotions. Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, which are busy doing more than just digesting your food. These tiny organisms produce chemicals that affect your mood, anxiety levels, and even cognitive sharpness.
Gut Bacteria and Your Social Life
It might sound strange, but the bacteria in your gut could even be influencing your social life.
Invisage this scenario:
I once had a close ally with whom I spent a lot of time at Dadaya High School (a boarding School near Zvishavane , Zimbabwe) . We often combined our tuck food, drinking containers, and utensils.
Being the natural observer that I am, I started noticing that our temperaments would align. At that time I was unaware of the studies on gt bacteria.
However I considered it in retrospect when I read up the topic, in later life.
Whilst indeed one can argue that much of it was psychological social influence (and that’s valid too), I propose that our similar diets may also have added to that. In a boarding school setting you are set up to inherit similar gut bacteria from peers, subtly influencing your emotions and even social habits.
It’s a reminder that our microbiome our gut’s collection of bacteria isn’t just ours alone; it’s shared with the people we interact with regularly. So when you choose a school for your child, you are not only paying for the education, you are paying for the type of children they are going to be around, also the quality of diet and cleanliness in the dining hall of that school.
Furthermore, even if you pack healthy foods for your child. Kids will always exchange what is in their trunks. – That’s a lot to unpack!
I guess that’s why my mother didn’t want me to play with kids that were virtually going nowhere in life.
You know those corner boys, sitting by the stoop, disrespecting and hurling insults to girls who had snubbed them. To interact with them would mean hand shakes, sharing blunts, beverages and cups. So over time it would have made me increasingly more like them.
I don’t know about you but knowing this, I’d rather keep company that is going places that I want to go!
Good Guys vs. Bad Guys: Probiotics vs. Antibiotics
So, how can you keep your gut in good shape? Probiotics are your gut’s best friends. They’re the good bacteria that help maintain balance in your digestive system, much like the heroes in a western movie keeping peace in town. On the flip side, antibiotics, while necessary to fight off infections, can also wipe out these friendly bacteria along with the bad ones.
Feeling Better, Naturally
To keep your gut happy and your brain sharp, fill your plate with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods feed the good bacteria and help them thrive. And while it’s always important to follow medical advice, some people find that taking probiotics can be a helpful boost.
Remember, your gut is a complex ecosystem that’s influenced not just by what you eat, but also by the people you spend time with. Whether it’s for better or worse, we can inherit aspects of the microbiome from those we’re close to, making it all the more important to nourish this second brain. Listen to your gut—it might just be trying to tell you something important about your health and your relationships.
I guess to sum it up we can say, “You are what you eat”.
My name is Mcpotar, I share different opinions and views across subjects. If you are interested in seeing my articles in your feed when I post them make sure to join my Whats App group by clicking this link or the image below.
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