The Relationship Between Diet Culture And The Microbiome

By Jiyu Hong

In today’s society, fads go beyond fashion and having the newest technology; with the rise of diet culture, our health is also a trend. Social media pushes for different, often conflicting ideologies. We must restrict the amount of carbohydrates that we eat, but carbohydrates are also what give us energy to get through our day. Reduce our sugar intake, even though artificial sweeteners are not a good alternative for heart health. Should we eat little portions throughout the day, or practice intermittent fasting and eat within a small period of time? These trends, in one way or another, may have helped people achieve their health goals—to eat healthier and be happy with themselves. But beyond our external appearances, what impact do these diets have on the processes going on internally? How are our gut microbiomes impacted by our food choices?