The animal-based diet caused the most structural damage to the gut lining and increased the risk of inflammatory bowel disorder ( Quercia et al., 2014 David et al., 2014).ĭigestive health is an uncommon topic in a high school introductory biology class. The animal-based diet resulted in colonization by species such as Bacteroides spp., Bilophila wadsworthia, and Alistipes spp. Those given a plant-based diet had a higher colonization rate of species such as Roseburia spp., Eubacterium rectale, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. In one study where 10 young adults were given either a plant- or animal-based diet for five days, there was significant change in the GMs of the participants. A transition from an omnivorous to a vegetarian diet is enough to drastically change the diversity and abundance of your microbiome ( Huitzil, 2018). Xylanibacter extracts energy from fiber well and provides protection from chronic inflammatory colonic disorders ( Walsh et al., 2014). A greater ratio of Prevotella to Bacteroides has been shown to increase weight loss in humans on a high-fiber diet ( Hjorth et al., 2019). A study of European children and African children showed that the African diet, rich in millet, sorghum, and local vegetables and lower in lipids and animal protein, selected for microbiota with high abundance of Prevotella and Xylanibacter, and low levels of Shigella and Escherichia ( De Filippo et al., 2010). Higher levels of Firmicutes, such as Ruminococcaceae, and lower levels of Bacteroidetes, such as Bacteroidaceae and Bacteroides, have been connected with obesity ( Wexler, 2007). Eating more fiber, less sugar, and less animal fat supports a diverse gut microbiome with bacterial species that help keep the lining of the small intestine functioning effectively ( Rinninella et al., 2019). Higher species richness and presence of certain species lead to better digestive health and can greatly reduce the risk of many gastrointestinal disorders, mood changes, hyperactivity in children, and obesity ( De Filippo et al., 2010). The relative abundance and richness of bacterial species in the human digestive tract is directly connected to a person’s diet, exercise, lifestyle, and use of antibiotics ( Rinninella et al., 2019). The human gut microbiome (GM) has been shown to rapidly evolve in one lifetime due to a change in diet. Educational approaches such as game play and active learning have been shown to improve student engagement, retention of concepts, and overall success of a lesson ( Sengupta and Clark, 2016 Michael, 2006). The game involves teamwork, decisions about diet, cause and effect of various life events, and data analysis.

I designed a simulation that uses inquiry and game play to teach high school (grades 9–12) biology students these concepts. A diet of sugar- and fat-rich foods will cultivate less diverse bacteria and species that cause inflammation in your gut and impair memory and focus ( Quercia et al., 2014). A diet full of fresh vegetables, meat, and whole grains will cultivate a variety of bacteria that will help you absorb nutrients, prevent disease, keep your skin hydrated, and even improve cognitive function. The abundance and richness of bacterial species in your digestive tract change based on your diet and lifestyle. The human gut microbiome is an important part of the digestive system and the human body as a whole.

Life choices game