The bacteria in our guts can break down food the body can’t digest, produce important nutrients, regulate the immune system, and protect against harmful germs. And while we can’t control all the factors that go into maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, we can manipulate the balance of our microbes by paying attention to what we eat.

Shilpa Ravella shares the best foods for a healthy gut. Lesson by Shilpa Ravella, animation by Andrew Foerster.