The Healthy Gut Project
What is the Healthy Gut Project?
The U of M division of Gastroenterology and our research team, have partnered with Seeds to Harvest, to collaborate with the community of North Minneapolis to address gut health through education, events, and community-driven research.
This is a new and evolving project. We want to hear from you about how we can help improve gut health in your community!
“A healthy gut affects our entire health, not just our digestive system”
Our gut needs fuel from food just like our body. Our bodies need things from food like calories and protein, but our gut needs something different:
Fiber, fiber, fiber!
A high-fiber diet is essential for a healthy gut. Fiber containing foods feed our gut microbes because these foods have the ability to reach our colon.
Fiber is important for health, but most people don’t eat enough. Try to increase your fiber intake, aiming for 20-25 grams of fiber daily. Or more!
Feed your Gut Microbes!
We have trillions of microbes living inside our colon. You can think of the gut microbiome like an ecosystem, such as a rainforest. When the gut microbiome is damaged, some species of microbes can go extinct. When too many species become extinct, it can lead to health problems.
Eating healthy and focusing on a high fiber diet will keep your gut ecosystem healthy. Our research is studying the following health conditions that are linked to the gut microbiome:
Autism, diabetes, liver disease, autoimmune diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. Other researchers are studying even more disease!
The takeaway: our gut health is key to our entire health.
Keep your microbes full and happy!
The University of Minnesota Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition is looking to engage with the community in North Minneapolis. We are hoping to form mutually beneficial partnerships with residents and organizations alike through GI health education, resources, and research.
Our research focuses on the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is the community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms living in your colon. The diversity of this community impacts your health in many ways. It can influence not only your digestive system, but also your cardiovascular system, risk of conditions like diabetes and obesity, and your mental health.
Please use this survey to let us know how we can be a resource for and partner of the community
Our Mission:
Create partnerships with organizations and the community in North Minneapolis.
Build education and research programs to improve gut health based on input from the community.
IBS Diet
If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or would just like to learn more about a diet designed for people with gastrointestinal disorders, click below.