Inner ties

The connection between the mind and the stomach has long been known and studied. This week we are taking a look at exactly how important that connection is and what we can do to strengthen it.

Dr Megan Rossi is known for her research into the mind gut connection. A leading expert on nutrition, Dr Rossi explains that our gut is connected to every organ in the body. This is the reason we must take extra care of our stomachs as the effect is felt throughout the entire body.

One of the best ways for us to improve our gut health, according to Dr Rossi, is by increasing our plant intake. We must aim to eat 30 plants a week for optimum gut health and these include herbs, spices, nuts and seeds. She also cautions on the effects that food additives have on our stomachs.

A very interesting point that Dr Rossi makes is that the gut is trainable, like a muscle. With a gradual increase in fibre, diversity and tolerance, we can build a more resilient microbiome – and a healthier body along with it.

On the topic of health, if you’re a runner, turn to our Fitness pages to read about how you can replace your daily run with jumping rope. Research has shown that jumping rope, or skipping as some say, can improve balance and response time. Start slow and build yourself up by increasing your daily target.