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We’re so excited here at Begin Health to unravel the upcoming trends in gut health that are set to define 2024. This year marks a significant emphasis on gut health, driven by the continual curiosity to explore the gut microbiome's pivotal role in overall health. Let's look at the gut-focused trends in 2024 and why we believe that 2024 is destined to be the year of gut health.
Fermented foods are reclaiming their spot as allies in nurturing gut health. According to researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine, fermented foods can increase gut diversity and decrease signs of gut inflammation [1]. Reducing inflammation is one critical factor to gut health because long-term inflammation in the gut can increase the risk for chronic diseases over time [4]. Fermented foods, like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and other fermented vegetables can introduce probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that support digestive balance and promote regularity.
Combining prebiotics and probiotics create synbiotics, which are used for a dual approach to establish a healthy gut environment. Pairing prebiotics found in foods like apples, bananas, or berries with fermented foods creates a symbiotic relationship that optimizes gut health function. Prebiotics act as nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria, while fermented foods supply probiotics to diversify the amount of good bacteria in the gut.
Adding microbiome-friendly foods such as fiber-rich fruits and leafy greens daily into the diet can further enhance the diversity of the gut microbiome. Data from research on synbiotics have shown that it helps improve not only gut diversity, but also improved physical and mental health.
Advancements in gut microbiome research have paved the way for personalized nutrition strategies tailored to individual gut health needs. Analyzing the gut microbiome enables custom dietary recommendations, leveraging the power of fermented foods, prebiotics, and microbiome-friendly options to optimize gut health based on each kid’s unique microbial composition. This personalized approach holds immense promise in nurturing optimal gut function and overall well-being in our little ones.
Begin Health Expert Tip:
Need more gut health support for your kiddo but don’t know where to start? Our personalized Kiddo Poop Test is designed for parents who need additional insights and guidance for their little one’s microbiome. This at-home gut health test tracks Candida, parasites, and bacteria associated with inflammation and delivers a personalized gut health report with actionable insights such as nutrition recommendations to help improve and restore balance in the gut microbiome.
A survey from the American Gastroenterological Association reveals that 40% of Americans have skipped a social activity with friends and family due to gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea. Natural ingredients in foods that promote microbiome health will continue to trend into 2024 with botanical options such as polyphenols and antioxidants showing potential to promote the growth of probiotics [5].
Antibodies to Target Bad Gut Bacteria
Antibodies are a protein produced naturally by the body that protects us from harmful substances such as bacteria from infections. Antibodies target, bind, and remove bad bacteria and studies reveal increased potential as beneficial ingredients for gut health by supporting a healthier microbiome environment. [6]. Examples of antibodies include Immunolin, colostrum, and IgY, which can support in strengthening the gut cell wall and reducing gut inflammation to promote good gut health [7,8,9].
Summary:
In 2024, the spotlight on gut health will continue to show how fermented foods, synbiotics, personalized nutrition for gut health, and microbiome-friendly ingredients such as antioxidants and antibodies can lead to optimal well-being for our kids. As research continues to reveal the profound impact of fermented and microbiome-friendly foods on gut health and beyond, prioritizing these elements in our kiddos’ diets will be an integral part to nurturing a flourishing gut microbiomes and healthier families for life.
References
[1] Wastyk HC, Fragiadakis GK, Perelman D, Dahan D, Merrill BD, Yu FB, Topf M, Gonzalez CG, Van Treuren W, Han S, Robinson JL, Elias JE, Sonnenburg ED, Gardner CD, Sonnenburg JL. Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status. Cell. 2021 Aug 5;184(16):4137-4153.e14. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.06.019. Epub 2021 Jul 12. PMID: 34256014; PMCID: PMC9020749.
[1] Marco et al. (2017). Health benefits of fermented foods: microbiota and beyond. Current Opinion in Biotechnology.
[2] Gibson et al. (2017). Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
[3] Koenig et al. (2011). Succession of microbial consortia in the developing infant gut microbiome. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
[4] Al Bander Z, Nitert MD, Mousa A, Naderpoor N. The Gut Microbiota and Inflammation: An Overview. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Oct 19;17(20):7618. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17207618. PMID: 33086688; PMCID: PMC7589951.
[5] Plamada D, Vodnar DC. Polyphenols-Gut Microbiota Interrelationship: A Transition to a New Generation of Prebiotics. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 28;14(1):137. doi: 10.3390/nu14010137. PMID: 35011012; PMCID: PMC8747136.
[6] Kubinak JL, Round JL. Do antibodies select a healthy microbiota? Nat Rev Immunol. 2016 Dec;16(12):767-774. doi: 10.1038/nri.2016.114. Epub 2016 Nov 7. PMID: 27818504; PMCID: PMC9004535.
[7] Chandwe K, Kelly P. Colostrum Therapy for Human Gastrointestinal Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2021 Jun 7;13(6):1956. doi: 10.3390/nu13061956. PMID: 34200282; PMCID: PMC8228205.
[8] Ulfman LH, Leusen JHW, Savelkoul HFJ, Warner JO, van Neerven RJJ. Effects of Bovine Immunoglobulins on Immune Function, Allergy, and Infection. Front Nutr. 2018 Jun 22;5:52. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2018.00052. PMID: 29988421; PMCID: PMC6024018.
[9] Li X, Yao Y, Wang X, Zhen Y, Thacker PA, Wang L, Shi M, Zhao J, Zong Y, Wang N, Xu Y. Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) modulate the intestinal mucosal immune response in a mouse model of Salmonella typhimurium infection. Int Immunopharmacol. 2016 Jul;36:305-314. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.04.036. Epub 2016 May 21. PMID: 27214338; PMCID: PMC7106048.
