3.1.3 (role of diet)

Question 1

Gut microbiota

Answer 1

Trillions of microorganisms (including bacteria, funghi, + viruses) which can be found in the S + L I (LI contains more variety than SI).

Question 2

Role of diet in influencing gut microbiota

Answer 2

• Diets high in bad foods = feed the harmful/bad bacteria in gut.
• Diets high in nutritious foods = feed the good bacteria in the gut.
• Diverse diet = increase range of microbiota in the gut + vice versa.

Question 3

Prebiotics

Answer 3

Non-digestible CHO, fuel for the beneficial bacteria in the gut (good bacteria feeds on them), good bacteria must already be present in the gut to gain benefits from prebiotics.

Question 4

Prebiotic foods

Answer 4

Leek, banana, garlic, berries, tomato, onion.
- Resisitant starch (undercooked pasta, under-ripe bananas, cooked + cold potatoes) + pectins (apples, apricots, berries). - ferment in LI where bacteria changes them into short-chain fatty acids.

Question 5

Probiotics

Answer 5

Foods that contain live, healthful bacteria + are foods that maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the intestine.
- Stressed, ill, take antibiotics, consume poorly balanced diet = gut microbiota will be affected + out of balance (can take probiotics to help).

Question 6

Probiotic foods

Answer 6

• Dairy products, kimchi, tempeh, miso, pickles, kombucha (fermented foods).

Question 7

The gut + physical health (benefits of the right amount of short-chain fatty acids).

Answer 7

• Protections against inflammation
• Disease prevention + management
• Help control blood sugar levels + diabetes
• Synthesising + absorption of vitamins
• Promotes digestive health

Question 8

The gut + mental health

Answer 8

• The enteric NS
• The production of hormones

Question 9

The enteric NS

Answer 9

Works with vagus nerve (runs from brain to gut) + CNS = bidirectional connection.
- Strong link between gut + brain = any disruptions or imbalance of microbiota in the gut can impact a person’s mental WB + vice versa.

Question 10

The production of hormones

Answer 10

The gut microbiota makes chemicals such as dopamine + serotonin (feel-good hormones) in much larger quantities than the brain can make. Their levels are likely to increase if various foods containing probiotics + prebiotics are consumed.