The benefits of meditation on stress levels is well known, but it turns out the age-old practice could benefit your belly!

A study from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine found the gut bacteria in Buddhist monks differed significantly from participants who did not practice meditation. Researchers examined stool and blood samples from 37 Tibetan Buddhist monks and 19 secular men.

“These results suggest that long-term deep meditation may have a beneficial effect on gut microbiota, enabling the body to maintain an optimal state of health,” researchers wrote.

Regulating the gut microbiome could potentially lower risks of physical and mental illnesses, and can calm the parasympathetic nervous system.