“Thriving gut bacteria has been linked to better sleep quality, whereas bad gut bacteria is linked to poor sleep.”

Why is this? Our digestive tracts are full of over 100 trillion microorganisms – known collectively as microbiota – which can be both beneficial and harmful. Their role is complex, but studies show they can affect heart health, metabolism and mental health.

We already know that mental health issues like anxiety and depression can, of course, throw off our usual sleeping patterns. One school of thought is that gut microbiome dysbiosis causes inflammation that can affect the central nervous system, thus aggravating mental health issues like depression or insomnia.

Gut health and sleep: is your poor gut health stopping you from sleeping well?