Written by Tim Rigby
One of the most recent trends in nutrition as it pertains to health is the emphasis on a healthy gut. A few short decades ago, you’d never see probiotics mass-marketed and widely available; however, recent research has led to a better understanding of how the state of your gut can have a wide-reaching impact on your overall health.
Enter tomatoes. We all know how delicious and healthy they are, particularly with regard to delivering an abundance of folate, vitamin C and potassium. In a very recent study from researchers at Ohio State University and published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum, tomatoes were found to be instrumental in increasing the variety of gut microbes and altering gut bacteria to a more favourable profile. The study took place over the course of two weeks’ worth of heavy tomato consumption by pigs.
The ultimate goal, according to researchers, is to continue the study as applied to humans, with the expectation that tomato consumption will have the same positive effect on gut health and the gastrointestinal tract. Replacing less healthy food with tomatoes and other unprocessed foods can play a big part in keeping a stable gut environment, in turn positioning one in a healthier state.