Have you changed your diet?
As a researcher you are the first to acquire new knowledge. We asked our bacteria researchers whether the new insights on the significance of microbiota have changed their relationship with food.
Lars Engstrand
“Yes, I eat a more varied diet, less meat and more fruit, vegetables and fish compared to what I ate a few years ago”.
Elisabeth Norin
“No, I don’t think so. I have a mixed diet and like fish a lot. On the other hand now that I have grandchildren I tend to tell the parents that they shouldn’t give yoghurt to the children during the first months but instead allow the gut flora to develop as normally as possible. Research has shown that yoghurt can disrupt the early development and change the gut flora, which may be negative for health”.
Rochellys Diaz Heijtz
“Yes, absolutely, I’ve changed my diet completely. I avoid junk food, animal fat and refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and regular pasta. I’ve noticed both physical and mental effects. For example, I have more energy and feel more relaxed”.
Harri Alenius
“No, I haven’t changed my diet habits. On the other hand I’ve tried to get my family and friends to be out in nature more”.
Nagihan Bostanci
“Yes, I try to maintain a balanced diet and avoid frequent and large amounts of sugar or fizzy drinks which stimulate the growth of acid-producing bacteria which cause cavities. I would never smoke either”.
Eduardo Villablanca
“Yes, I try to eat more fibre, food which is good for the microbiota. We also now know that broccoli contains components which are good for the immune system. So every time I eat broccoli I think that I’m doing something good for both my microbiota and my immune system”.
Text: Fredrik Hedlund, first published in Swedish in the magazine Medicinsk Vetenskap No 3/2017.