by Megan Whitby, assistant editor
Dr Sarah Berry, an epidemiologist from Kings College London, was the study co-author
Finishing touch
GOOD FOOD GUIDE
What should we eat to boost our immune system? One of the world’s largest studies on dietary intake and the gut microbiome sheds some light
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The key revelation was the identification of 15 ‘good’ ut health programmes which improve our and 15 ‘bad’ naturally-occurring gut microbes that microbiome are not new in the spa industry can correlate with key markers of health status in a as wellness experts and scientists recognise positive or negative fashion, including inflammation, the links between good bacteria in our blood pressure, blood sugar control and weight. intestines. The wide-reaching benefits include improving Results showed diets fuelled by our heart and metabolic health, fibre-rich, whole and unprocessed helping people who suffer from It’s exciting to food support the growth of the diabetes and obesity for example, discover how little good microbes, while diets to regulating our hormones. of the microbiome containing a higher concentration But Spa Business predicts the ‘food of processed foods with added as medicine’ approach, championed is predetermined sugar and salt, promote bad gut by operators such as The Original FX by genes and bacteria associated with illnesses. Mayr, Buchinger Wilhelmi, Chenot and therefore how much This indicates we have control over Sha Wellness, will boom in popularity our gut microbiome and can positively as consumers recognise how essential is modifiable by diet impact our future health outcomes the microbe community in our bowel by changing what we eat, explains Dr Sarah Berry, study is for developing our immunity, defending us against co-author and epidemiologist at Kings College London. pathogens and for our brain function/mental health. “Surprisingly, findings also suggested that due to the Findings from new studies like Predict, one personalised nature of the microbiome, a personalised of the first to take a deep look at dietary intake approach to what you eat for your unique biology is the and its effect on the gut microbiome and health best way to positively impact your health,” she adds. outcomes, could further strengthen spa offerings. “I’m excited to share this research as our findings The study, published in Nature Medicine in January, show how little of the microbiome is predetermined monitored the gut microbiome composition, diet and by genes and therefore how much is modifiable by cardiometabolic blood markers of 1,100 participants from diet, how we may be able to modify it by diet and the US and UK, and is one of the world’s largest research how this may impact our subsequent health.” l projects investigating individual responses to food.
100 spabusiness.com issue 2 2021
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RESEARCH
