Tis pumpkin season, and scientists say consuming pumpkins hold the promise of good gut health, even protection against type 2 diabetes. “Number one, they increase the beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia, which we love,” says Will Bulsiewicz, M.D. in a recent “Eating Well”interview (1). “Number two, they lower unhealthy bacteria like Biophila. Number three, they increase gut diversity,” he continued.
Another friendly fall food is beets, a good source of nitrates. Our bodies convert nitrates into nitric oxide which relaxes our blood vessels, says Bulsiewicz (2). Other veggies he recommends are acorn squash and purple cabbage.