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Gram for gram, protein is the buzziest macronutrient du jour. But between measuring macros and scooping protein powder , gym bros and menopausal women alike have missed the mark on one major nutritional category. It’s eating lots of plant foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, and seeds.
If that seems obvious, consider that about 95 percent of Americans are deficient in fiber, which you get in spades from the aforementioned foods. (For the record, the current USDA Dietary Guidelines says women aged 19 to 30 should aim for 28 grams per day, women from 31 to 50 years should get 25 grams per day, and women 51 and up need 22 grams). That’s a pretty BFD, considering that fiber can ease constipation , lower cholesterol , and fill you up faster .
Need any more reason to put more veggies on your plate? There’s also new evidence that vegans and vegetarians (you know, people who typically tend to eat more plants) have better gut microbiomes than omnivores. In layman’s terms, this means their digestive systems are healthier and have less inflammation. (ICYMI, inflammation is linked to many serious health conditions , including heart disease, high blood pressure, some cancers, gastrointestinal disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.) A healthier microbiome also leads to other potential benefits like a happier mood and lower stress . Getting over 30 different plants a week is linked with better health and a thriving microbiome. The key to a happier gut
The lowdown: A new study published earlier this year in the journal Nature Microbiology compared the gut microbiomes of over 21,000 people to see how different dietary habits impacted gut health. (The research was conducted in part by scientists from science and nutrition company Zoe .) The study found that vegans and vegetarians tended to have more diverse microbiomes than omnivores, *and* that people who ate more plant foods had more of the specific gut microbes associated with reduced inflammation.
Interestingly, the participants with the best […]
People With the Healthiest Gut Have This One Thing in Common
