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There’s a lot of buzz around gut health. And for good reason: Your GI tract does far more than digest food. While much remains to be discovered and understood, scientists know that your gut affects the health of your entire body, from your skin to your emotional wellbeing to your weight and more.
For instance, research shows that the bacteria in your gut play a role in your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity and colon cancer, per the National Institutes of Health. And your gut also likely affects your body’s immune response; it’s estimated that some 70 percent of immune cells are housed in the gut, per a September 2008 article in Clinical and Experimental Immunology.
When things go awry during the digestive process, or when your gut health falters, you’ll likely notice. Digestive conditions such as acid reflux, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are all common.
But here’s the good news: There’s a lot you can do to influence your digestive system. In this guide, you’ll get a clear look at how exactly the gut works, along with dietary and lifestyle adjustments you can put in place to support your gut health.
