The gut or intestine is the largest inner organ in the human body. It's responsible for so much more than just digestion. It's essential for our immune system and important for mental health. Even Hippocrates believed that many diseases originated in the gut. Discover exciting facts about the intestines and download free healthy recipes to cook for your gut. Also find out what can impair your gut flora and how you can give it a boost. If our gut is in good order and the gut flora is balanced, we generally feel fit and healthy. Sub-optimal gut flora can trigger numerous diseases, allergies and even skin problems.
Did you know? Ten exciting facts about the intestine
- The human intestines (gut) are around 8 metres long.
- The gut is the largest human organ. If you were to lay out the umpteen tiny folds and villi in the intestinal wall, the surface area of the gut would extend to 300 to 500m2. By way of comparison, the entire surface of our skin doesn't even come to 2m2, and a doubles tennis court is around 260m2.
- Thousands of strains of different bacteria live in the human gut and form the natural gut flora. They make up a large part of the human microbiome. The microbiome is all the microorganisms living on and in every human being. It's increasingly believed to play an important role in individual health and disease. All these bacteria together weigh around two kilos.
- A healthy gut flora strengthens the immune system, because 70% of the defence cells of the human immune system are located in the gut.
- Stress or taking antibiotics can throw the gut flora out of balance.
- Probiotics have a positive influence on the gut flora. These are bacteria that have a health-promoting effect. They help keep the gut fit.
- A healthy gut also likes to rest. It's important for it to have a break of several hours between meals. If you're constantly eating, the intestinal bacteria have food all the time and can multiply (depending on what's eaten, unfavourably). So a break of four hours is recommended between main meals and a break of twelve hours overnight.
- The gut is also known as the seat of intuition. After processing and evaluating sensory impressions and thoughts, it reports them to the brain.
- There are 100 million nerve cells in the digestive tract, more than in the spinal cord, so there's very good reason for the term "abdominal brain".
In the course of an average lifetime, a gut processes about 30,000kg of food and over 50,000litres of fluid.
«Most people know their digestion and their own personal digestive habits. The gut likes to have rituals, but they don't have to be the same for everyone. If you notice changes, there's often something out of balance. In the event of mild symptoms, first of all it's a good idea to do something for your gut flora and support your efforts with a healthy mixed diet. If the pain becomes more severe and the changes persist, you should have this checked out by a doctor.»
How the intestine gets fit again
The following foods contain probiotic bacteria:
Healthy Recipes for Your Bowel to Cook
Get an exclusive look at the recipes of the "Healthy Cooking for Your Gut" cooking class by certified naturopath Sarah Müllhaupt and the Hiltl Academy now. These are everyday recipes that you can easily cook for yourself at home.
Download the recipe ideas free of charge now and put on your apron.
Free nutritional advice from santé24 for SWICA insured persons
Would you like to eat more healthily and consciously, perhaps lose a few pounds, or do you have any general questions regarding nutrition? SWICA's customers can access free nutritional advice from specialists at the santé24 telemedicine service. Call santé24 to make an appointment.
santé24 - your Swiss telemedicine service
Phone +41 44 404 86 86
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active4life offer for SWICA insured persons
Cook with the pros at the Hiltl Academy
The Hiltl Academy is synonymous with vegetarian and vegan cuisine. It offers a wide range of cooking courses, including health workshops. These classes are designed as a simple and tasty way to learn about a healthy diet. Together with experienced cooking class instructors and external specialists, the Academy guides all participants step by step through the preparation of the dishes, providing valuable tips and tricks for healthy nutrition in everyday life.
Under the active4life partner programme, SWICA customers get an exclusive 15% discount on health-related cooking classes at the Hiltl Academy.
