Invisible substances around us: what do they do to your gut health?

We are paying more and more conscious attention to what we eat. Less sugar, more fiber, as little ultra-processed food as possible. We are also cautious with antibiotics, because we know that they can affect not only pathogens, but also our beneficial gut bacteria.

Yet research shows that our gut flora may be under pressure in another way as well: through chemicals from our living environment. Substances we encounter daily in food, agriculture, packaging and household products.

In this blog you will read what these types of substances are, where they come from and what you can do yourself to support your gut health.

Table of contents:

• What substances are involved?
• How do they enter your body?
• What does science say?
• Impact on your gut
• What can you do yourself?
• This blog in a nutshell

Many everyday chemicals have an antimicrobial effect. Research shows that some substances also negatively affect beneficial gut bacteria. Conscious choices in food and products can help protect your gut flora against these substances.

What substances in our environment are involved?

The substances in our environment that influence your gut fall under the collective term ‘antimicrobial substances’. These are substances that inhibit the growth of microorganisms or kill them.

We mainly know these substances from antibiotics, but this antimicrobial effect also occurs in other substances, such as:

• Pesticides and fungicides in agriculture
• Industrial chemicals
• Flame retardants
• Preservatives

Many of these substances have been in use for decades. They were developed to combat fungi, bacteria or pests, for example to protect crops or to make products last longer.

That they may also affect human gut bacteria has hardly been studied for a long time. Only in recent years has this received increasing attention in science.

Essence: Not only antibiotics, but environmental substances can also have antimicrobial properties.

How do these substances enter your body?

Exposure to chemicals usually occurs in small amounts, but continuously. You can come into contact with them through:

• Food (residues of pesticides)
• Drinking water
• Packaging materials
• Cosmetics and personal care products
• Household cleaning products

Because many of these substances are fat-soluble, they can accumulate in your body. Through your diet and environment, they ultimately come into contact with the bacteria in your gut.

Essence: With these substances, it is not about one-time exposure, but about daily, long-term intake through products you use every day.

What does research say about the impact on your gut?

In a recent study, published in Nature Microbiology, scientists investigated the influence of more than a thousand common chemicals on 22 species of common gut bacteria.

What did they find?

• 168 of these substances had an antimicrobial effect.
• Fungicides and industrial chemicals in particular had a strong effect.
• Some substances inhibited multiple beneficial bacterial species at the same time.

Notably, some chemicals even appeared to cause ‘cross-resistance’: exposure to these substances made bacteria less sensitive to real antibiotics.

Important to emphasize: this research mainly shows that there is an effect, not exactly what this means for people in everyday life. It does, however, underline that our gut flora is more sensitive to environmental influences than previously thought.

Essence:

Chemical substances can have truly measurable effects on beneficial gut bacteria.

What is the impact on our gut?

It is important to know that your gut houses trillions of bacteria, all of which are involved in your:

• Digestion
• Immunity
• Energy balance
• Mood
• Brain function

These bacteria are in direct contact with everything you eat and drink. When the balance is disrupted, it can affect how you feel, physically and mentally.

Your gut flora is also dynamic: it constantly adapts. That means negative influences can have an effect, but positive choices can also support recovery. Curious how? You can read that below.

Essence:

A healthy gut flora is resilient, but dependent on its environment.

What can you do yourself to support your gut health?

Although we cannot avoid all chemicals in our environment, there are a number of smart steps you can take to support and protect your gut flora.

Choose organic food
Organic vegetables, fruit and dairy contain fewer residues of pesticides, fungicides and other industrial chemicals. This reduces exposure to substances that may be harmful to your gut bacteria. Wash and peel vegetables and fruit thoroughly as well; this significantly reduces the chance of residues.

Avoid unnecessary antibacterial products
Cleaning products, personal care products and some plastics contain antimicrobial substances that can impact your gut flora. Choose natural or organic alternatives where possible.

Support with fermented foods
Fermented products such as kefir, yogurt and sauerkraut contain live bacteria that can help maintain the diversity and resilience of your gut microbiome.

Eat fiber-rich and varied
Fiber from vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole-grain products feeds your beneficial gut bacteria. Variety in your diet helps ensure your microbiome remains strong and diverse.

Move and sleep sufficiently
Regular exercise and a good sleep rhythm also have a positive effect on your gut health and resistance to stressors.

Essence: Less exposure and better nutrition together support your gut health.

In conclusion

Your environment has more influence on your health than you might think, including at the level of your gut bacteria. Research into chemicals and gut flora is still in its early stages, but the first insights show that conscious choices in food and products are meaningful.

By supporting your gut with whole foods, sufficient fiber and less unnecessary chemical burden, you give your body the best foundation to remain in balance.