Attached is a link to a pioneering study showing an association between how diverse the gut microbiota is and one’s psychological (loneliness vs. wisdom) status. While the study cannot conclude whether the gut’s level of diversity determined or is a consequence of one’s psychological state, there are some nutritional principles one can follow to increase gut diversity:
- Eat a rich variety of foods
- Consume probiotics – either in supplement or food forms
- Consume prebiotics – again either in supplement or food forms
- Onions, leeks, asparagus, chicory
- Fructooligosaccharides
- Galactooligosaccharides
- Interact socially with others – humans exchange microorganisms naturally
- Interact with pets – pets help increase our microbial diversity
There are many health advantages to maintaining a diverse gut microbiome. One’s psychological status appears to be yet another one.