Why is Your Gut Acting WEIRD?

  Let’s just say your gut has opinions. One day it’s totally fine with three cups of coffee and a slice of cold pizza, and the next day when you decide to have the same thing or even less, it’s like, “Absolutely not. Here’s some bloating and existential dread for your choices.”

  But have you considered that your gut isn’t just being dramatic for no reason? There’s a lot of mechanisms behind it. The gut is home to trillions of bacteria, and together they make up what’s called gut microbiome—a microscopic ecosystem with heroes behind the scenes. And these tiny creatures can affect not just the digestion system, but also impacts your mood.

  According to a 2019 review published in Nature Reviews Microbiology, the gut and brain are constantly talking to each other through what scientists call the gut microbiota-brain axis. 

  Basically, your gut and your brain are texting 24/7, and sometimes the gut is sending serious “we need to talk” energy. One surprising part? Your gut bacteria actually help make some of the chemicals that influence your emotions—like serotonin and dopamine. In fact, most of your body’s serotonin (the feel-good, mood-stabilizing kind) is made in the gut, not the brain. Which kind of makes you wonder if your stomach is lowkey your second brain—or maybe the first one that just doesn’t get enough credit.

  So when your gut isn’t happy—like after a stretch of skipping meals, stress-eating, or just not getting enough fiber—it can send stress signals back to your brain. That’s why things like brain fog, mood dips, or random irritability can sneak up on you. It’s not just in your head. Or rather, it is in your head, but it might have started somewhere way lower. 

  So, what could help?

  Truth is, you don’t need to overhaul your entire diet or suddenly start fermenting your own cabbage. But a few gentle shifts can go a long way:

  Fiber Intake: Whole grains, fruits, veggies, beans—yes, all the boring but solid stuff. Your gut bacteria need it to thrive.

  Fermented foods bring backup. A bit of yogurt, kimchi, or miso can introduce helpful bacteria that support the system.

  Go easy on ultra-processed foods. They’re not evil, but too much of them can feed the “bad bacteria” that like to stir up trouble (read: inflammation, sluggishness, etc.).

 It’s kind of nice to think your body is this interconnected system—your gut looking out for your brain, your brain trying to keep you sane, and you just doing your best to figure it all out between meals. So maybe next time your stomach flips out for no clear reason, don’t get mad at it. Just ask it what’s wrong. Then maybe give it a banana.


Citation:

Morais, L.H., Schreiber, H.L. & Mazmanian, S.K. The gut microbiota–brain axis in behaviour and brain disorders. Nat Rev Microbiol 19, 241–255 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-020-00460-0

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Silent Killer

Image
  “The Silent Killer: How Lifestyle and Bad Eating Habits Are Wrecking Our Health” Introduction In our fast-paced, convenience-driven world, we often forget how that is all possible. We have to thank the nutritions in our food. Microwavable dinners, sugary snacks, and drive-thru meals have replaced family dinners, fresh produce, and mindful eating. While technology and modern living have made life easier in many ways, they’ve also created a perfect storm for bad dietary choices. We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and productivity, but at what cost? Skipping breakfast, eating lunch at our desks, and bingeing on processed snacks after a stressful day have become the norm. These habits might seem harmless in isolation, but over time, they lay the foundation for chronic health issues, mental fatigue, and emotional imbalance. This blog post explores how our lifestyle choices, especially when it comes to food. It really does impact our health and well-being. We’ll talk about...
Read more

A Suburban Mom’s Crisis

Image
  There comes a time in every woman’s life—perhaps while packing her child’s lunch, or standing in a dimly lit pantry at 2 a.m. with a bag of cheese puffs—when she begins to wonder:  What, exactly, am I feeding my family? I remember the moment it hit me. I was arranging a plate of crackers and turkey roll-ups for the neighborhood book club, when I noticed the “cheddar” hadn’t aged a day—mainly because it was made in a laboratory. It wasn’t cheese. It was a “cheese-like substance," just like how there're "chicken-like substance." You see, just because something is certified doesn’t mean it’s healthy. And I can't trust the food with my family's safety. But then came salvation—or so I thought:  Organic . The word itself practically purifies the air around it. I began replacing everything in my pantry: cookies, cereal, granola bars, even gummy bears, all wearing that magical green sticker. I spent more at Whole Foods than I did furnishing my guest powder room. It...
Read more