Your gut is a microbial galaxy of about 39 trillion bacteria. Yes, you read that right: “That’s more bacteria in your gut than stars in the night sky,” world-renowned physician and researcher William Li, M.D., author of Eat To Beat Your Diet, shares on the mindbodygreen podcast. And these bacteria communicate with each other at all hours of the day to support different functions like metabolism, immunity, skin health, brain health, and so much more.