By Deborah Bamisaye
“Me? I live in the city…,” some even say it with subtle pride, especially when they visit those who have never left the village. There really is nothing to be proud about because at the end of the day, there remains a city we will all not be able to visit throughout our lifetime. I mean ‘E-v-e-r-y-o-n-e!’ Whether those in the village or in the city. Surprised?
The Richest City You’ll Never Visit
Every great city has three things.
· Residents
· Workers
· And a purpose
Lagos has them.
London has them.
Tokyo has them.
Permit me to introduce you to a city that appears on no map.
§ It has no airport
§ No governor
§ No street names
§ No postal code
Yet scientists now believe it is one of the most valuable communities connected to human health.
The most astonishing part? ‘It is a city – ‘always carried.” You have been carrying this city with you since the day you were born.
Last month, we uncovered an important clue. The gut is far more than a place where food is digested. Remember? Before we ended our conversation, I left you with a mystery: ‘Who are the trillions of microscopic organisms living there?’
Today… The gates of that hidden city finally open. The first thing you notice about any city is its population. Without people, there is no city. Without workers, there is no progress. Without purpose, there is no reason for its existence.
Now pause for a moment… How many people live on planet Earth? ‘About eight billion, right?’ Already, that number is difficult to imagine. Now picture a population measured, not in billions…but in trillions. Impossible?
Not at all! Because that astonishing population has been living inside your digestive system all along.
Scientists call this remarkable community the gut microbiome – an enormous collection of microscopic organisms that naturally live in the gut. And before the word ‘Bacteria’ makes you uncomfortable, let me reassure you, that you are safe on this reference.
Now, let’s clear the misconception: ‘Yes, some bacteria cause disease but many others are indispensable. They help break down components of our food, contribute to the production of certain vitamins, support healthy digestion and play an important role in maintaining the balance of the gut.’
In other words, this city is not occupied by invaders alone. It is also sustained by essential workers. Every thriving city depends on people performing different duties.
§ Some teach.
§ Some build.
§ Some heal.
§ Some keep the lights on.
The hidden city inside your gut is no different. Every microscopic resident has a role, and together they help support one of the most extraordinary systems ever created.
Now let me ask you another question. When you sit down to breakfast tomorrow morning..,
Who are you feeding? Your first answer will probably be “myself.” That is only partly true. Every time you eat, there are two diners at the table:
a. The person you see in the mirror…
b. …and the invisible city within.
The foods you choose influence the kinds of microorganisms that flourish there.
Meals rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains help nourish a diverse and healthy community. A steady diet of highly processed foods can gradually reduce that diversity. Suddenly, breakfast doesn’t seem so ordinary anymore, does it?
There is something else about this city that deserves our attention. Every great city has a security system. This one does too. Scientists have discovered that the gut is closely linked to the immune system, helping explain why maintaining a healthy gut is important for overall well-being.
The more researchers study this hidden city, the more they realize that its influence reaches far beyond digestion. And that brings us to an interesting thought. People save for years to visit the world’s great cities.
§ They buy plane tickets.
§ Reserve hotel rooms.
§ Take photographs beside famous landmarks.
Yet the richest city they will ever possess requires none of those things.
i. No passport.
ii. No visa.
iii. No boarding pass.
It simply asks for wise daily choices:
a) Balanced meals.
b) Adequate sleep.
c) Regular physical activity.
d) And the responsible use of antibiotics under professional medical guidance.
Perhaps that is the greatest surprise of all.
The world’s richest city is not famous because of its skyline. It is priceless because of what it quietly helps protect. The next time you sit down to eat, remember this:
Every bite is more than a meal. It is an investment. An investment in the remarkable city you have carried with you since the day you were born.
Take good care of it! It has been taking good care of you all along.
That is the least you could do to help this great city.
Want to uncover more? Join me next time.
Until then, stay healthy!
English