Have you ever been uncharacteristically nervous? Or perhaps anxious for no reason–palms sweaty with impulsive thoughts? This uncomfortable feeling that can suddenly spring on you out of nowhere is never invited and can plague our happy days unexpectedly. Especially when that feeling is beyond your control… or is it?

Given the fact that the gut is referred to as the “second brain” medically speaking, it should come as no surprise that poor gut health has been linked to anxiety. The neurotransmitters that send messages back and forth between your brain and your gut (the brain-gut connection), are powerful and have the ability to control your mood/feelings/behaviors. Scientists have taken a specific interest in this link between the two, conducting specific studies as to see the truth behind the brain and gut bacteria.

Probiotics are steadily gaining popularity for their ability to repopulate the good bacteria inside your body, and help to eliminate the bad from endangering you. But what if you had the power to increase your good bacteria and multiply it—simply from the foods that you eat? This is the magic behind prebiotic foods, which work with your body’s chemistry to promote the production of healthy bacteria.

In recent studies to unlock the power behind the brain-gut connection, results were astounding. Results showed that the brain-gut connection serves as a two-way street. Dr. Kirsten Tillisch, the study’s lead conductor reported, “Time and time again, we hear from patients that they never felt depressed or anxious until they started experiencing problems with their gut.”

With the proven results of probiotics to heal our gut and promote the growth of healthy bacteria, prebiotics are gaining ground in the fight for gut supremacy. Probiotics provide the good strains of bacteria, while prebiotics act as the fuel for them to flourish. We want a probiotic environment in our gut to live better and be healthier. Adding prebiotic foods to our daily diet only elevates that standard. Prebiotics are the fiber that probiotics feed off of and are crucial in keeping your healthy bacteria thriving.

As studies suggest, by keeping a primary focus on gut health, you have the power to control your mind simply by the foods that you eat. Positive clear thoughts are arguably key to a healthier you and a happier life. Thankfully, through the apparent cohesion between pro and prebiotics, this is something that you have the power to achieve all on your own.