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Every 29th of May, the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) celebrates World Digestive Health Day and initiates a worldwide public health campaign through its more than 100 national societies which reach over 50,000 members. Each year focuses upon a particular digestive disorder in order to increase general public awareness of prevention and therapy.

Under the motto “Gut Microbes – Importance in Health and Disease,” World Digestive Health Day 2014 will be dedicated to the gut microbiota.

The aim of the WDHD’s campaign for 2014 is to inform both healthcare professionals and the general public of the importance for our wellbeing of the broad range of life forms living in our gut. “A well balanced and diverse microbial gut community is key to one’s health,” says Professor Eamonn Quigley, Chairman of the WGO Foundation. After all, the bacteria in the gut are key elements in preventing some digestive disorders and ensuring the proper functioning of the immune system, as well as helping us make efficient use of the food we consume. In addition, if we look more specifically at this key role in figures, it should not be forgotten that the number of bacteria in the gut of each human being is ten times greater than the number of human cells.

And if this weren’t enough, as Quigley points out, even our mental health may be influenced by this population of microbes. In fact, recent scientific studies highlight that both depression and anxiety may be linked to alterations in the microbiota.