Twenty years ago, very few scientists even knew about something called the gut microbiome. Now, with over 70,000 research papers published on the subject, this complex ecosystem, home to trillions of microorganisms, is recognised as a key factor in our physical and mental wellbeing.

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today’s clip is from episode 508 of the podcast with microbiome scientist and researcher at King’s College London, Dr Emily Leeming.

We now know that our gut health plays a crucial role in everything from our immune system and our ability to respond to stress, to our skin and even our mental wellbeing.

In this clip, Emily shares some of the latest science along with some simple, practical tips for building more gut-friendly foods into your diet.

Emily is someone who is highly knowledgeable and passionate about helping us all improve the health of our guts. Her message is clear: nurturing our gut microbiome is not about following rigid rules – it’s about understanding this remarkable ecosystem and working with it, not against it.