7 surprising foods that boost your gut health (backed by science) | The Express Tribune

When people think of gut health, they usually picture yogurt, kefir, or maybe the occasional probiotic supplement.

But the truth is, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome goes far beyond the usual suspects.

Your gut, home to trillions of bacteria, plays a vital role not only in digestion but also in immunity, mental health, and even skin clarity.

According to a 2022 review published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, diverse diets rich in prebiotics, polyphenols, and fermented foods are key to cultivating a thriving microbiome.

If you’re looking to support your gut health in a more creative way, here are seven unexpected foods, backed by science, that can make a real difference.

1. Dark Chocolate

Good news for chocolate lovers: dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) contains polyphenols that act like fuel for beneficial gut bacteria. Research in Frontiers in Nutrition (2021) shows that cocoa flavonoids help increase populations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, two crucial “good” bacteria.

2. Seaweed

Popular in Japanese cuisine, edible seaweeds like nori, wakame, and kombu are rich in fibre and unique polysaccharides. Studies, including one in Marine Drugs (2020), show that these fibres serve as excellent prebiotics, feeding beneficial bacteria and even supporting the growth of less common gut microbes.

3. Green Bananas

While ripe bananas are a source of simple sugars, unripe green bananas are packed with resistant starch, a type of fibre that resists digestion and feeds healthy gut bacteria. Clinical research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2019) found resistant starch can boost butyrate production, a short-chain fatty acid crucial for colon health.

4. Artichokes

Jerusalem and globe artichokes are among the richest natural sources of inulin, a powerful prebiotic fibre. A study in The British Journal of Nutrition (2016) found that consuming artichoke extract significantly increased Bifidobacteria levels in healthy adults.

5. Miso

This fermented soybean paste is a staple in Japanese cooking and is loaded with probiotics. According to a 2022 paper in Foods, regular consumption of miso can enhance microbiota diversity and reduce markers of inflammation in the gut.

6. Pistachios

These nuts are more than just a snack — they are packed with fibre and polyphenols. A controlled trial published in The Journal of Nutrition (2014) found that participants who ate pistachios daily had significantly higher levels of beneficial gut bacteria compared to those who ate almonds.

7. Pomegranate Seeds

Bursting with antioxidants and fibre, pomegranate seeds (also called arils) have been shown to modulate the gut microbiome positively. A 2021 review in Nutrients found that pomegranate polyphenols can promote the growth of anti-inflammatory bacterial strains and may help repair the gut lining.