Is there a link between our gut and mental health? - CrowdScience podcast, BBC World Service

“You are what you eat” is a well-known saying. But is it really true? That’s what we explore in this episode of CrowdScience, thanks to a question from listener Claire from Australia.
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We each have trillions of tiny microbes and bacteria inside our bodies, living in our mouths, skin, ears and even in our eyes. Each community of microbes and bacteria is known as a microbiome. The most populous of these is in our gut, with hundreds of trillions of organisms and bacteria helping digest the food we eat.
Our gut microbiome is affected by lots of things but mainly by our diet. With our gut microbiome forming such a massive part of our insides, people have long suspected that what we eat impacts how we feel.
Presenter Caroline Steel investigates. She speaks to a professor of psychiatry, Jane Foster, to find out how interconnected our microbiome and our brain really are. Professor Foster also explains the different ways in which our microbiome and brain communicate.
Do we really know what role diet plays in mental health? Consultant psychiatrist Professor David Veale provides more detail. And at a café with a rather interesting menu, Caroline samples some of the food available as occupational therapist Joel Oliver explains how important food can be as part of mental health treatment.
This begs the question: If our microbiome really does influence our mental health, can we harness the power of microbes to potentially find new treatments to help our mental health? Dr Najaf Amin tells us about her research identifying the link between specific microbes and depression.
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0:00 Introduction - what role does our gut play in our mental wellbeing?
2:36 What is the gut-brain axis and how does it work?
5:07 Link between gut bacteria, inflammation and mental health
6:58 Microbes produce metabolites
8:46 Are there any studies that link our microbiome directly with our mental health?
10:18 The idea that what we eat can change how we feel has been around for thousands of years
11:15 John Porter-Phillips possibly did the first study linking diet to mental health 1914-1930
12:00 Guts: The patient-led cafe serving gut healthy food
16:07 Consultant psychiatrist David Veale: "Diet is one piece of the jigsaw"
19:03 What foods can support your physical and mental health?
20:22 Gizem Arat studies the impact diet has on mental health of people in sub-Saharan Africa
23:06 Could the future be a brain-friendly bacteria pill?
24:08 Conclusion
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[@peter5.056]

The fact that this is even up for question, tells me that people have completely forgotten how to eat.

[@alejobola]

Yes, there's a huge relationship between gut health, gut bacteria, and mental health, to the point that the neural network in our gut has been deemed a sort of second brain. Mind what you eat, seriously.

[@windyhawthorn7387]

The first time I ate fermented mustard greens my stomach loved it so much it lifted my mood and I just felt the positive effect. My stomach also loves an bunch of food like brussel sprouts kimchi , peppers and okra.

[@user-qi7o0dr54h8rq]

100% agree

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I can share that there is a fascinating connection between the gut and the eye. The gut retinal axis is crazy

[@esennka]

Last night I had way too much sugar and had constant nightmares (I don’t have nightmares often) and was thinking there might be a relationship and this morning I am seeing this- woow- Thank you

[@KumarKumar-fn4sx]

Dear team BBC, you people have beautifully explained the link between brain and gut health. The people who create awareness about health issues are angels of god. May god blossom your consciousness

[@newpilgrim]

Yes...we've definitely known this for many decades in the West. Thanks for sharing!

[@inna6122]

I enjoy listening to this so much! :) I should have known this before. For many years, I was listening to podcasts in UK and Australia. they are fantastic to , but this is way better! :) Thanks!

[@boeingpameesha9550]

My sincere thanks for your sharing it.

[@alphaomega1351]

My sincere welcome 🙏. 😳

[@zunairarif4971]

Such a interesting research

[@dhruvaism]

As they say You are what you eat!

[@pwalk4160]

Yes. 25 mins saved.

[@anderslvolljohansen1556]

Eat more fibre is the recommendation about 8 minutes into the video.

[@icilmaa]

It's disgusting that medical doctors are not discussing this with their patients. Some are but the majority aren't or don't have a clue.

[@MarkRoyce62]

There is NO $$$ in healthy people!

[@marcthomas4488]

Because how would they get paid....many in thr field see patients as a paycheck.

[@ishubaba4202]

The clue is in their name Medi-Cal / Medi-Cine

[@kimhandley1523]

You would have to be really stupid, dumb and thick to not know this. Why on earth would you need a GP to advise this. Even though they already do. God I just cannot fathom how thick 90% of humans are.

[@juliuscaesart]

“You are what you eat.” big facts here

[@containedhurricane]

Definitely, because people could get easily irritated if their guts feel uncomfortable

[@clarklight2918]

The toast sounds crunchy 😂😂

[@SleepyTimeSensation]

I know there should be balance when it comes to the food on your plate, but what needs to be done to get your gut back on track.

[@r-cdmx]

Money spent on a lousy meal definitely effect’s my mood. Lol.

[@ggof_il2098]

I have discovered that when i cut out sugar and reduce my carbs and highly processed foods/oils and now i get less headaches,migraines and my IBS settles down, i sleep better and don't feel so lethargic all the time. I was one who thought it was just health fanatics trying to be mean 😂but i decided to try it for myself a few months ago and now i understand!

[@Sammy-nj3io]

When I eat sugar, particularly late at night, I have su*c*d@l thoughts. I know this and I still eat it, ugh. I love and hate sugar

[@gilessteve]

If you entirely give up eating sugar, you'll lose the taste for it and won't need it any more. Start thinking of it as a drug you're addicted to.

[@user-mj9cs1ln5r]

Amen

[@paulocesarlimongidelimafil3269]

The problem goes beyond the individual's decision on what to eat or not. There's a problem of class. The rise in the price of food condemns the lower class to spend less with food and that fact is nothing to be ignored. If we analyse statics, we will able to see that people with less money are feeding themselves with fast food

[@MrKenpachi777]

Why not sharing the video? It sounds like it's a soundtrack from a video clip

[@NiScontex]

gut and mood

[@theobserver9131]

I once asked my doctor if my diet might have something to do with a health issue I had at the time. He looked at me like I had two heads. The question seemed to really confuse him. I have a different doctor now.

[@theobserver9131]

I think all GPs should have extensive knowledge of nutrition. It doesn't seem to be the case.

[@SuperLarrythompson]

Ummm. I'm pretty sure this has already been established???

[@AnhTran-no5rb]

Máy này có xay đc cá ko vậy?

[@aroundandround]

I don’t feel like food makes much difference to anything as long as one eats reasonably diverse whole foods.

[@Titanesdelmundo]

It this were true why nobody knows what to eat to be happy. And will never now because it’s more a mental state

[@vigneshvenkateswaran3270]

Would be better if the host just states objective things and not overlay statements with her opinions. Overall very informative.

[@christopheryao]

Of course food can affect our brains. The brain is one part of the organs of our body, just like the others, it has its own functions. Also like other organs of our body, so if the food we digested can make an effect on all those parts of our body, why can't it affect our brain? And please do understand, food can affect our brains in a fundamental way, but it can never calls some mental illness in your mind, unless you think they do.

[@Nosomosrobots]

Insulin resistance leads to ADHD, the baseline of mental illnesses.

[@anamariakoeva7029]

I've never heard that before, can you elaborate or point to scientific sources?

[@parisz]

​@@anamariakoeva7029 Exactly.

[@theobserver9131]

omg. I can't believe this is even a question. The things I assume everyone knows, like, do most bipeds have two legs? I mean, I guess some things bear repeating.

[@maijemimah727]

Food does affect mood to some extent

[@aroundandround]

I suppose food could affect your gut instinct.

[@sanjanewmoonlife]

Yes and no ,mostly important after food do some walking

[@if7363]

Of course, there's a link between what you eat and mental health.

[@lavienestpasunlongfleuvetr2559]

Duh.

[@davidcooks2379]

What a stupid title! BBC should be the first there to advocate for a total ban of ultra-processes foods, glucose syrup, trans fats, inflammatory foods like plant oils, anything with added sugar and all the ultra-processed vegan nonsence

[@anamariakoeva7029]

Unfortunately I had to stop listening after the crunching at the beginning as it set my brain on fire

[@Lora-G]

...chocolate..need I say more🥰

[@HappyestMoments]

Just promote eating good homemade eating habits.. This podcast is another dark side of SOCIAL MEDIA promoting and feeding everything like from feeling nervousness which is normal to anxiety and so on.

[@nazlahmed6233]

daha sərt harsher

[@gez-ye-oku]

Daha sert ne? Ne demek istiyorsun? 🤔

[@miriamelkaid6470]

Você conhece a si mesmo quando encontra Deus em si e você mesmo em Deus. Anselm Grun.

[@ashleywilson2072]

Eat more fibre and fewer carbs

[@sweetlord3672]

Not sour kraut??? What's wrong wit'ya???

[@alphaomega1351]

Omg! 😮 They are trying to take away our jelly donuts 🍩!!! 😳

[@shashankdudhe6972]

That's called the disease of Sugar.

[@BBCWorldService]

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[@theobserver9131]

Oh for crying out loud. The person speaking is eating while talking. Disgusting. I'm out of here.