What houses one of the most complex and abundant ecosystems on the planet? The human gut. Our bodies contain trillions of microorganisms. Yes, trillions. In fact, they outnumber human cells 10 to 1. Everything we eat, drink, touch, lather, and interact with these microorganisms. Inevitably, your diet and lifestyle is either supporting—or hindering—your gut health. Fun fact: did you know that digestion actually begins before you take your first bite of food? This is called the cephalic phase of digestion. It’s kicked off by the mere sight or smell of food. In many ways, this gets the body primed to absorb nutrients. Speaking of absorption, chewing (rather than quickly inhaling) your meals is essential for optimal digestion. Chewing reduces stress on the esophagus, helps the stomach metabolize food, and more. While there’s no hard and fast rule for how many times you need to chew, a good rule of thumb is to ensure your food loses all its texture before swallowing.