Here’s the kicker: Maria didn’t rely on fancy probiotics. Her gut got that magic thanks to a lifestyle straight out of a health writer’s dream. She ate three servings of yogurt every single day, followed a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains, stayed active with daily walks, avoided alcohol and smoking, and nurtured tight family bonds.

That yogurt habit likely helped top up her gut with healthy microbes like Lactobacillus and nurtured the growth of other good bacteria, including Bifidobacterium. The Mediterranean diet did the rest by feeding these microbes fibers and nutrients they need to thrive.