The human gut is a bustling metropolis, home to trillions of microbes that shape our health, mood, and even our cravings. This microbial community, known as the gut microbiome, thrives on what we eat—but it’s not just the food itself that matters. How we prepare it, from raw to roasted, boiled to barbecued, plays a profound role in how our gut microbes respond. Cooking food alters the microbiome in ways both subtle and significant, influencing digestion, immunity, and chronic disease risk. As we unravel this culinary-microbial dance, we discover that the kitchen is more than a place for flavor—it’s a…