Today, we celebrate World Microbiome Day, an annual global event dedicated to raising awareness about the critical role of microbes in our health.

This year’s theme, ‘Feed Your Microbes’, emphasises and underlines the profound impact of diet on the gut microbiome, which in turn, plays a pivotal role in health and wellbeing. At Clasado, we are delighted to join the global conversation from our perspective in the prebiotic field, highlighting how dietary choices nourish the beneficial bacteria that inhabit the gut, and why it’s so important.

World Microbiome Day is all about advancing our collective understanding of microbes throughout the human body and includes many useful resources and initiatives, for consumers and healthcare professionals alike.

Click here to learn more about how to get involved.

What is the gut microbiome?

The gut microbiome is a diverse community of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, that reside in the gut.

Some of the bacteria found in the gut microbiome have specific roles in supporting health and wellbeing. Although we might first assume they’re only helping with digestion and breakdown of food, these microbes are shown to support a surprisingly wide range of health areas, such as immune response, metabolism and even cognitive health. The composition of the gut microbiome is influenced by numerous factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and most notably, diet.

What is the connection between what we eat, and the gut microbiome?

Diet plays a pivotal role in shaping the gut microbiome. Different foods provide nutrients that selectively feed various types of bacteria. For example, a diet rich in processed foods, saturated fats and added sugars can lead to a less favourable composition of gut bacteria. Conversely, a diverse and balanced diet rich in prebiotic fibre can support a healthy gut microbiome by providing a sufficient amount that beneficial bacteria can utilise to thrive.

The Role of Prebiotics

Prebiotics are a specific type of dietary fibre that the human body cannot digest. Instead, they act as a food source for beneficial bacteria in the gut. By selectively stimulating the growth and activity of these bacteria, prebiotics help maintain the gut microbiome environment. Natural sources of prebiotics include leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and fruits, but often, these foods contain prebiotics in small amounts. To increase the amount of prebiotic fibre in the diet, consumers are turning to prebiotic supplements.

While supplements should never be in place of a balanced and nutritious diet, they can make a useful addition to it. This rising consumer demand is reflected in the category’s market growth; the prebiotic supplement industry is expected to see strong compound annual growth of 14.9% to 2030 according to intelligence firm Grand View Research. This potential makes the prebiotic sector highly attractive to formulators looking to meet the growing demand from consumers.

So, where does Clasado fit in? We pride ourselves on our commitment to the field of microbiome modulation science, particularly when it comes to prebiotics. Our prebiotic ingredient, Bimuno® GOS, is one of the most extensively studied commercially available prebiotic GOS ingredients, backed by over 120 scientific publications. A robust body of research supports its efficacy in supporting gastrointestinal health, immune function, and cognitive health, giving consumers confidence in the supplements they purchase​​​​.

Promoting Gut Health Awareness

As we celebrate World Microbiome Day, we remain committed to advancing public knowledge about the vital role of diet in gut health, and where prebiotics fit in. By collaborating with healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry partners, we strive to make scientific insights about prebiotics and the gut microbiome accessible to everyone.

For businesses in the health and nutrition sector, understanding the importance of prebiotics is crucial. With escalating global demand for gut health products, there’s never been a better time to explore the benefits of scientifically backed prebiotic ingredients.

Why not learn more about the science behind Bimuno GOS, including studies that advance industry-wide understanding of prebiotics? Click here to learn more.