What is intestinal flora?

The digestive tract contains several hundred billion bacteria. They represent up to 1 kilogram of body weight, equivalent to around ten times the total number of cells in the body. Together, all these bacteria form what is called the intestinal flora, which breaks down the dietary fibre the body is unable to digest.
The intestinal flora constitutes a unique ecosystem, made up of several hundred species. It plays an important role in digestion and also helps to maintain health and prevent the development of certain diseases.