06/04/2025
What’s Going On in Your Gut ⚕️
Find out why your digestive system is well worth taking care of.
On the surface, your digestive system or “gut” may seem straightforward and even a little boring. Food enters your mouth, travels through your esophagus, stomach, intestines, and then exits from your rectum. Along the way, it’s broken down into nutrients that your body can use.
In reality, your gut is much more than a food processor. Researchers continue to discover new digestive functions and unexpected connections to the rest of your body.
Some amazing things your gut can do:
Communicate with multiple areas of your brain
Collaborate with beneficial bacteria
Fend off harmful bacteria
Strengthen barriers that guard against infection
Regulate immunity to prevent food allergies
Slow down or speed up digestion in response to stress
Recent research also suggests that the bacteria in your gut (aka your “microbiome”) may directly influence neurochemical changes in the brain that drive mood and behavior. “Gut feelings” may play a bigger role in decision-making than ever imagined.
This week, we’ll highlight some helpful facts about how your gut works and explain why scientists are beginning to refer to it as a second brain.
