Gut Health: it’s much more than just what you eat!

Your gut is home to trillions of microbes, and they’re impacted by so much more than just your daily/weekly meals.

Here are 7 surprising factors that shape your gut health:

Birth Method: Vaginal births expose babies to beneficial bacteria from mom—C-sections can lead to different early gut colonies.

Infant Feeding: Breast milk supports healthy gut flora through natural prebiotics, while formula-fed babies may develop a different microbial balance.

Geography: Where you live affects your exposure to microbes. Urban vs. rural environments = very different gut microbiomes!

Diet: This one’s the most obvious—fibre, fermented foods, and diversity in your meals all feed the good gut bugs.

Medication Use: Antibiotics, antacids, and can disrupt your microbiome, sometimes for months.

Stress & Lifestyle: Chronic stress, poor sleep, and sedentary habits can all throw your gut off balance. Your gut and brain are deeply connected.

Lifecycle Changes: From infancy to old age, hormonal shifts, aging, and health events (like pregnancy or illness) can reshape your gut ecosystem.

Gut health is a journey, not a one-time fix. Support it daily—your body (and brain) will thank you in the long run.

Tristan ‘straight to the gut’ Buttle.

P.S – to read more about Gut health click HERE.