India, May 22 -- You must have come across the saying, 'You are what you eat,' meaning that the food you consume defines you, from your physical health to nurturing mental wellbeing. But there's an extra step to this- 'You are what you digest', hinting that how efficiently your food is digested is an even bigger indicator of your overall health. Gut health, in a way, shapes your entire wellbeing, influencing everything from mood, metabolism, energy levels and more. The trillions of bacteria present in the gut are influential in determining gut health, so it all begins with gut microbiota.

HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to understand all the parameters influenced by gut health.

Dr Shubham Vatsya, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology ...