Beyond Bacteria: The Gut Microbiome & Your Child’s Health

What does gut health mean to you when it comes to your little bee’s well-being? The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. The gut flora plays a role in everything from digestion to immune function.

These microorganisms act as little helpers to keep things working in the digestive system. Your child’s microbiome begins developing at birth, and it grows as they grow. Their gut health is influenced by their diet, environment, and even how they were born (the mode of delivery). Poor gut health can lead to digestive issues, discomfort, weakened immunity, mood swings, and more. A balanced microbiome is necessary for healthy digestive and immune systems.

Did you know that your gut is your largest immune system component? It contains up to 80% of your body’s immune cells. After all, you are what you eat, so it’s important to make sure your child is eating a balanced diet that includes foods for good gut flora. The gut is also linked to your brain through the gut-brain axis, the network of nerves, neurons, and neurotransmitters running through your gastro-intestinal tract. Recent studies have shown that the gut microbiome may be linked to mental health, meaning that gut health can affect even your child’s emotional well-being!

Here are some practical tips on how to get a healthy gut microbiome and to help nurture a healthy gut:

Feed Them Foods Rich in Good Bacteria

Make sure your little one is getting plenty of foods rich in probiotics to help promote a healthy gut environment! Think foods with healthy bacteria like yogurt, fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso, or smoothies with yogurt.

High-Fiber Foods Are a Gut’s Best Friend

Fiber is food for the good bacteria in your kid’s gut. It may be easier said than done to get them to eat their vegetables, but help them feel their best with high-fiber options like spinach, broccoli, and legumes. These help the gut microbiome to thrive, and are linked to lower risk of chronic diseases.

Cut Down on Sugar

We know you’ve heard this time and time again, but did you know that sugar can increase the harmful bacteria in the gut? High sugar consumption contributes to a toxic environment for healthy microbes, so the less your child has, the better.

Avoid Processed Foods

These foods can negatively affect the balance and diversity of the microbiome, so try to steer clear of processed foods in your home. Processed foods also prevent less healthy gut microbe species from colonizing, which can lead to digestion issues and inflammation. Choose gut healthy foods for kids to help diversify their gut microbiome.

Consider Probiotic Supplements

Probiotics, or living microorganisms that are found in foods like yogurt and fermented foods, are essential to your intestinal and overall health. They help foster a healthy immune system. Consider probiotic supplements like liquids, powders, or gummies, like Zarbee’s Children’s Complete Multivitamin + Probiotic. It’s a great-tasting multivitamin to help support your little one’s digestive health*. Read more here to learn the difference between prebiotics and probiotics.