Here's What People Actually Mean When They Talk About 'Gut Health'
In recent years, it seems like everyone has become obsessed with gut health. Drinking kombucha, taking probiotics, eating more fiber-rich foods…they’re all habits done in the name of supporting gut health. But have you ever stopped to wonder what exactly people mean when they talk about gut health? Does it have to do with how well the digestive tract is functioning or is there more to it than that?
While digestion is certainly an important part of gut health, there’s so much else that is affected too—including the brain and immune system. Wondering how it’s all connected? Keep reading to find out.
Related: This Is the Top Habit Destroying Your Gut Health, According to an Integrative Medicine Doctor
What Is ‘Gut Health’?
“Gut health” is a term used to describe how healthy one’s gut is. This includes how well food is being digested and absorbed, the absence of gastrointestinal illnesses, and a balanced amount of good bacteria in the intestines (more on this later).
The gut is not an organ the way the heart or brain is. It’s a broader term used to include the digestive tract and lots of bacteria that live inside the small and large intestines. The body parts that make up the digestive system include the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus.
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In addition to all these body parts are the trillions of bacteria and fungi that also make up the gut, known as the microbiome, which is primarily located in the small and large intestines. While it may sound gross to think about, having a microbiome full of thriving, good bacteria is crucial for overall health.
Where do all these bacteria come from? Our diet for one. Healthy foods are full of good bacteria while unhealthy foods have bad bacteria, which can negatively impact gut health. Environmental factors can also change the bacterial makeup of the microbiome. For example, stress increases the amount of bad bacteria in the gut and decreases the amount of good bacteria. Not getting enough sleep can do the same thing.
Why Gut Health Is Important
Now you know what the phrase “gut health” means. (A one-sentence recap: it’s how healthy your digestive system and microbiome are.) But why is everyone so obsessed? The reason why gut health is a trending topic is because it impacts your entire body.
Let’s start with the part of health many people make the connection to first: digestive health. If you’re experiencing bloating, constipation or diarrhea, you would be correct in assuming that something with your gut health is off. This could include having food sensitivity or allergy (AKA something your digestive system is having trouble breaking down), having a bacterial imbalance in the microbiome, not getting enough fiber (which helps add bulk to stool and keeps the digestive tract functioning), too much fiber (which can overload the digestive system) or an underlying health condition. It isn’t always easy to pinpoint the reason for digestive problems, which is why it’s important to work with a gastroenterologist if you are experiencing them regularly.
How healthy your gut is is also directly related to your immune health. Having too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria in your microbiome makes it easier to get sick. This is because immune cells interact with the bacteria in the microbiome. Since the food we eat directly impacts our microbiome bacterial makeup, diet absolutely plays a role in our immune health. Eating nutrient-rich foods will make you less likely to get sick while eating nutrient-void foods will increase your chances of falling ill.
Related: You Are What You Eat! Nutritionists Say These Are the 18 Best Foods for Gut Health
There is also a connection between gut health and mood. The central nervous system puts the brain in direct communication with the gut, including all the important good bacteria in the microbiome. When something is off in the gut (such as too much bad bacteria), it increases the likelihood of experiencing anxiety and depression. For this reason, you truly can impact your mood through what you eat, to an extent.
The connection between the brain and the gut is profound in another way too: helping protect against dementia and cognitive decline. Many scientific studies have shown that changes in the bacterial makeup in the gut microbiome can influence brain function—especially as we age.
There is even a connection between gut health and cardiovascular health. If your gut is healthy, your heart is more likely to be healthy too. When there’s an imbalance in the gut, it can lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Suddenly, it becomes clear why health professionals talk incessantly about gut health. If you prioritize keeping your gut healthy, there’s a good chance that the rest of your body (including your brain) will stay healthy too.
Now comes the big question: How do you keep your gut health in tip-top shape? Start by eating a wide range of nutrient-rich foods. This will ensure your microbiome is thriving with diverse good bacteria, which is crucial for a healthy gut. Since stress negatively impacts the gut, finding ways to effectively manage it is important too. And certainly, if you are experiencing any digestive problems, working with a G.I. doc to find out why is key as this is a sign that something is not right in your gut.
Now that you know exactly what gut health is, you can start incorporating ways to support it into your daily life. By supporting your gut, your whole body will benefit!
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