But experts, speaking to the Daily Mail, say many people overlook one key factor: what they drink can make or break their gut health, too. The gut is home to trillions of microbes – mainly bacteria, but also viruses and fungi – known as the gut microbiome. With this in mind, we asked leading nutritionists to reveal the worst drinks for gut health – and some healthier swaps worth trying instead. It also tends to be higher in rapidly absorbed carbohydrates, which can spike blood sugar and indirectly affect gut health.' The alternative: Ms Ludlam-Raine recommends unsweetened tea or coffee, which contain polyphenols that may support gut bacteria diversity.