Gut Wreckers: Daily Habits Harming Your Microbiome

19. Over-Reliance on Harsh Mouthwash

While good oral hygiene is important, frequently using antiseptic mouthwashes containing alcohol or harsh chemicals can disrupt not only your oral microbiome but potentially your gut microbiome too. Beneficial oral bacteria play roles further down the digestive tract, and swallowing residual mouthwash can harm gut microbes. Furthermore, some oral bacteria help convert dietary nitrates into nitric oxide, important for cardiovascular health – a process disrupted by harsh mouthwash. Opt for gentler options or use sparingly.

20. Insufficient Chewing

Digestion begins in the mouth. Rushing meals and not chewing food thoroughly places a greater burden on the rest of your digestive system. Larger food particles are harder to break down, potentially leading to fermentation by less desirable bacteria further down the gut, causing gas and bloating. Proper chewing mixes food with saliva (containing digestive enzymes) and signals the stomach to prepare for digestion, optimizing the entire process and supporting a healthier microbial environment downstream.