3 gut bacteria that protect your heart–and what to feed them | Prof. Tim Spector & Prof Nicola Segata

There's an unseen world inside you, teeming with trillions of tiny inhabitants. Just like any ecosystem, some bugs inside your gut microbiome are beneficial, while others wreak havoc, quietly disrupting your health. What if these disruptive "invasive species" are silently driving the rise of cardiometabolic diseases, the leading cause of illness and death in Western countries? This episode reveals groundbreaking new ZOE research, soon to be published in Nature, that maps this hidden world. We’re joined by Professor Nicola Segata, the study’s co-author and a pioneer of this new technology, alongside ZOE's scientific Co-Founder, Professor Tim Spector, one of the world's top 100 most-cited scientists. Together, they reveal the top-ranked gut bacteria – both good and bad – that influence your health. Discover three powerful "good bugs" and how feeding them can suppress the "bad," transforming your gut ecosystem and paving the way for better health and potential therapeutic breakthroughs. Learn actionable tips for boosting your beneficial bacteria, starving the detrimental ones, and why gut testing is forever changed. 🥑 Make smarter food choices. Become a member at zoe.com - 10% off with code PODCAST 🌱 Try our new plant based wholefood supplement - Daily 30+ *Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system Follow ZOE on Instagram. Timecodes 00:00 Introduction 01:05 The most common misconception about gut health 04:04 Your gut bacteria are like mini pharmacists 08:12 Why your gut microbes are as unique as your DNA 14:23 How ZOE is revolutionising health with a new research model 19:39 Groundbreaking research that featured in Nature 22:21 The new, simpler way to measure your gut health 24:25 Meet newly discovered good bugs 28:06 The microbe that thrives when you eat nuts and seeds 32:40 Why only eating kale won't make you healthy 34:25 The 'ancient' gut bug discovered in mummies (and one of our scientists!) 36:37 The future of probiotics 39:17 The shocking truth about store-bought probiotics 42:17 What makes a 'bad' bug bad for your health? 43:45 Could your gut microbes be making you crave junk food? 46:29 The diet your bad bugs love the most 49:10 The future of personalised nutrition for your gut 52:22 How to 'pivot your ' to feed your good bugs 53:55 Is it okay to eat occasionally? 55:53 Tim Spector's simple 'fridge raid ferment' 📚Books by our ZOE Scientists The Food For Life Cookbook Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector Ferment by Prof. Tim Spector Free resources from ZOE Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition Gut Guide - For a Healthier Microbiome in Weeks Better Breakfast Guide Mentioned in today's episode Gut microbiome species indicative of cardiometabolic health are modulated by diet in large and interventional cohorts of over 34,000 individuals, forthcoming in Nature, (2025) Gut microbiome species indicative of cardiometabolic health are modulated by diet in large and interventional cohorts of over 34,000 individuals, Published in Nature Microbiology (2025) [3] Research progress of gut microbiota and obesity caused by high-fat diet, Published in Fronteirs in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (2023) Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know here.Episode transcripts are available here.