About 80 percent of the cells responsible for the immune system are located in the gut. We've collected seven fascinating facts about the gut.
What loves each other has a similar gut flora. That's what recent scientific studies say. If two people live together for a longer period of time, not only their appearance adapts, but also the composition of the intestinal bacteria. The reason:couples who have been together for a long time usually have a similar diet and lifestyle – this is also noticeable in the gut.
If all of a human's gut bacteria and germs were weighed, they would weigh up to two pounds. However, it wouldn't be a good idea to get rid of it – the many bacteria keep us healthy and vital.
Those who are happy release serotonin — and 95 percent of it is produced in the gut. According to studies, the gut also has a decisive influence on our emotions. They are in permanent contact with our emotional center via the gut-brain axis.
There are more bacteria in every gram of our feces than there are citizens on Earth:a staggering 40 billion. Of these, 1,500 bacterial strains are now known. Most are beneficial bacteria, especially the so-called firmicutes.
Bacteria are real team players:so-called “cross-feeding” takes place between the different bacterial strains. For example, if some produce lactate (lactic acid), the others convert it to butyrate (important short-chain fatty acids). This is how the little helpers get the best out of their bodies.
1, 2 or more like 3? There are three types of gut flora – regardless of age, gender, body weight or place of residence. Type 1 has the lowest bacterial diversity. The Bacteroides bacteria dominate here - attention to technical terminology. People who eat a lot of meat are often of this type. In type 2, the so-called Prevotella bacteria are most common. These usually include vegetarians and vegans. Intestinal type 3 is most common, where the so-called Ruminococcus bacteria predominate. And now say all kinds of bacteria out loud again.
The average gut of a 75-year-old has already processed 30 tons of food and removed about 50,000 liters of moisture from the pulp. Bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, etc. They do the heavy lifting in this process every day:among other things, they filter the useful nutrients from the food and process them.
