Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ

The large intestine contains the biggest microbial community in the body as hundreds of species of bacteria, or microbiota, reside in the human digestive tract. While microbes are known to aid in digestion and stimulate the immune system, only recently have scientists began to study the complex, symbiotic relationship between the human gut and its microbes.In The Good Gut, Justin and Erica Sonnenburg, professor and researcher of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University respectively, explain the role that microbes play in the GI tract and how they relate to overall health, including possible links to obesity, autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergies, and more. While antibiotics and a low-fiber diet contribute to decreased microbiota, the good news is that gut flora diversity can be improved by consuming a microbiota-friendly diet that includes probiotics, fermented products, and high-fiber foods, especially those containing inulin, a natural storage carbohydrate. While aimed at the layperson, this title is acronym heavy: be prepared to understand SCFAs, MACs, FMTs, CDAD, EPS, and ASD.Gut, written by Enders, a medical student, takes a lighthearted approach to the "body's most underrated organ." Originally published in German and a best seller on Germany's paperback charts, the title covers the entire digestive tract—from the mouth and tonsils to the esophagus to the small and large intestine, humorously lauding the elegance of the bowels. Along the way, the author covers myriad topics: the proper way to sit on a toilet, vomiting, constipation, feces facts, and the influence the gut has on the brain. The third portion of the book covers microbes, both good and bad.