So, how can all this information help us nail good gut health? According to Dr Prpa, it starts with a basic awareness of what our gut needs, and making small, mindful changes to help our microbiota thrive.

First and foremost, stay hydrated.

“Hydration is important for your overall health as well as your gut health, particularly when it comes to keeping your bowels ticking over,” Dr Prpa advises.

“We know this because dehydration is one of the most common causes of constipation. This is because when you’re dehydrated it’s harder for food to pass through your digestive system. Staying hydrated may help regulate bowel movements because fluid is required to transport the acids and enzymes which break down food in the small intestine.

“Growing evidence indicates that constipation can lead to gut microbiota dysbiosis (imbalances) and that constipated individuals have a different gut microbiota (i.e., dysbiosis) to healthy individuals.”

Secondly, consider the foods you eat. While we can’t be angels all the time, introducing certain foods into your diet can be beneficial.

“When it comes to eating for a happy gut, think inclusion, not exclusion,” says Dr Prpa. “This is because a varied diet breeds diversity within our microbiome.

“Our gut microbiota adapt according to the foods we eat. A diet focused on adding more – more plants, more variety and more fibre – can increase gut diversity and create a flourishing ecosystem inside of us.

“Fermented foods have been consumed by humans for over 14,000 years and can be a great source of live bacteria in the diet,” Dr Prpa adds.

“Examples include yoghurt, fermented milk drinks and kefir, kombucha, tempeh, kimchi and sauerkraut.

“Fermented foods are thought to support gut health – some human studies have shown that microorganisms in fermented foods can play a part in changing the composition of the gut microbiota.”

And finally, we can be a bit more gut-aware when it comes to our busy lifestyles. This includes ensuring that we’re getting enough sleep, committing to mindful practices such as meditation or yoga to help lower stress levels, and getting outside more. All of these things will help support the gut-brain axis.

“Although it sounds like a long to-do list, looking after your gut health doesn’t need to be complicated,” Dr Prpa concludes.

“And the best thing is that, for most individuals, it doesn’t take long to start seeing improvements in their gut health. This is what excites me most about being a specialist gut health nutritionist, because unlike other changes we make for our health and wellbeing, our gut microbiota composition can be altered in a relatively short space of time.”

Gut Health 101: how to decode the jargon and create a routine that works for you