Not everyone is as excited about the power of our gut to control ageing. Prof Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, says research into the gut microbiome is “exciting” and “has certainly piqued the public’s interest” – but, she adds “it’s important to remember, especially as research in the area is still emerging, that ‘gut health’ is likely just one piece of a much bigger picture.
“Good health is not determined by any single factor.”
Ultimately, scientists say it is possible to improve ageing process via your diet – though they caution that food is not everything.
Esteller estimates that diet probably determines about one-third of your ageing outcome. The rest is a mix of genetics and other lifestyle factors, such as exercise and avoiding smoking cigarettes.
As for my own gut health, it’s still early days on my new diet.
My appetite is sated and I am not tempted by snacks, other than the recommended apples, grapes and nuts. But in a busy lifestyle with unpredictable hours, sticking to this sort of meticulous plan will be challenging – and I’m doubtful of my ability to pull it off.
Still, the tests and journey has been a wake-up call on my own gut – and my future health.
Additional reporting: Luke Mintz
Top image credit: Getty Images