Study finds South Asian guts need region-specific health advice

Scientists studied the tiny organisms living in the guts of people from India and Sri Lanka.

They found that different South Asian communities can have different gut microbiomes.

These differences may be linked to food, culture, geography and daily habits.

Moving toward city lifestyles was linked with changes in the gut’s microbial communities.

City-related habits can include eating more packaged foods, eating less fibre and sleeping irregularly.

This does not prove that cities directly cause unhealthy guts.

Experts suggest eating a variety of minimally processed foods and following nutritious traditional eating patterns.

Scientists need larger and longer studies before gut tests can routinely prescribe personal diets.