Discussion
Most commercially produced food is engineered for shelf life, not human life. It's often packed with preservatives, which are chemicals meant to stop the growth of microbes... including bacteria... to prevent spoilage and keep food looking fresh longer.
But these same preservatives don’t just affect the food. When eaten regularly, especially over long periods, they can disrupt the gut microbiome... the balance of good and bad bacteria in your digestive system. This can lead to a loss in microbial diversity and a shift toward dysbiosis, or gut imbalance.
Chronic exposure to these substances has been linked to a range of issues, including obesity, autoimmune diseases, and depression.