Until quite recently, most doctors assumed that our bowels are only intended to digest food to allow for nutrient uptake. We now know, however, that that this is an incomplete picture; digestion does much more than just that. Our stomach and bowels accommodate what is known as the microbiome. It consists of billions of miniscule organisms including bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and fungi. These organisms live in symbiosis with us, and they are responsible for important parts of our general health. Our microbiome not only helps us digest the food we eat; it also supports our immune system, produces certain vitamins, and helps neutralise certain harmful substances in our diet. There are even connections between the microbiome and our mental health. These discoveries make our bowel health a vital component of our overall health and wellbeing.