Better Health Through Essential Skills in the Kitchen

Learning to cook nutritious meals can have an immediate effect on the body’s microbiome, research shows.

Researchers looking at changes in the gut microbiome after cooking classes show how it can motivate consumers to keep making healthy choices in their diets. Shutterstock

It’s no secret that cooking classes can encourage people to eat better and improve their health. But it’s not always easy to motivate participants to use those skills in their everyday lives. New research may help people understand why they should.

A recent study linking cooking classes to changes in the gut microbiome—and physiological processes that impact disease—shows how learning such skills can reshape our health. These insights can help guide “food as medicine” programs and inspire Americans to adopt healthier long-term cooking and eating habits, experts say.