4. High-Sugar Foods/Beverages
Too many sweet foods and drinks can be especially bad for your gut health.
“High-sugar foods and drinks have been linked to inflammation, which can make the gut uncomfortable and kill good bacteria,” says Taub-Dix.
And this damage happens sooner than you might think. The way you eat as a child sets the stage for your gut health as an adult.
“Too much sugar, especially during early stages of development, changes the gut microbiome by causing dysbiosis, or an imbalance of bacteria,” says Dr. Ivanina. She also says that dysbiosis can affect other organs like the brain (for example, by making it hard to remember things).