The gut contains trillions of microorganisms, including beneficial and harmful varieties. Collectively, these make up what is known as our "gut microbiome". Maintaining a healthy balance of microorganisms within the microbiome is crucial. Factors like diet, exercise, medications and even genetics can affect its composition and diversity, impacting various aspects of your health for better or worse.

Gut health affects lots of different aspects of our wellbeing, from our mood to our immunity. But with all the hype surrounding gut health, separating fact from fiction can be confusing. That's why we've asked the experts what's really true when it comes to gut health, from the good to the bad.

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What is gut health?

Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, a registered dietitian nutritionist and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Live Science that the gastrointestinal tract starts with digestion in the mouth.

"Then it continues to the stomach, small intestine and large intestine for further digestion and absorption, before leading to the end product where waste exits via feces," she said.