Mayo Clinic on Nutrition The Functionality of Fiber: Caring for Your Gut Microbiome
Jul 29, 2025
Dr. Purna Kashyap, a gastroenterologist and researcher at Mayo Clinic, delves into the fascinating world of the gut microbiome. He discusses the critical role of fiber in gut health and how undigested fibers nourish beneficial microbes. Dr. Kashyap explains the intricate relationship between diet and microbiome diversity, warning against the dangers of highly processed foods. He also critiques at-home microbiome tests and shares insights on the effectiveness of probiotics, emphasizing the value of whole, plant-based diets for a thriving gut.
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Chicken Or Egg: Disease Versus Microbiome
- It's often unclear whether microbiome changes cause disease or reflect it; microbes can perpetuate unhealthy states once they appear.
- Chronic diseases involve genes, environment, and microbes interacting rather than a single cause.
Eat Diverse Plant Foods For Microbial Diversity
- Eat diverse whole plant foods because many carbohydrates reach microbes and feed a varied microbial community.
- Diverse fiber encourages microbial cross-feeding and supports microbiome diversity.
Don't Starve Your Gut Microbes
- Avoid diets dominated by highly absorbable, simplified foods because they starve gut microbes.
- Starved microbes may degrade the gut lining, so keep them fed with fiber-rich foods.