Gut health is everywhere right now. The hashtag #GutTok has over 6 billion views on TikTok, the global digestive health product market is worth over $60 billion, and viral trends that promise to “hack your gut” through miracle products, cleanses, and restrictive diets are all the rage. But what does gut health really mean, and what can science tell us about how to make sure our gut is in good shape?
The gut microbiome, a complex network of trillions of microorganisms living inside our digestive system, may hold the key to the mysteries of gut health. We have a symbiotic relationship with all of those little guys; we keep them well-fed and they produce substances that can benefit our body and brain. These microbes help regulate bodily functions, protect against disease, and recover from illnesses like cyclosporiasis, which is spreading right now across the US.
But with so many voices chiming in on gut health, pushing everything from probiotic foods and supplements to wellness shots and coffee enemas, it can be hard to tell what information is based on real research and what might just be a marketing gimmick or social media clickbait. I spoke to doctors and visited Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles to bust some gut health myths for science-backed advice.
Read more about gut health and gut microbiome research:
- Vox editor Katherine Courage’s book, Cultured: How Ancient Foods Can Feed Our Microbiome.
- Cedars-Sinai’s Human Microbiome Research Institute.
- The MAST program at Cedars-Sinai.
- Trisha Pasricha’s book, You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong.
- Vox’s explainer video on probiotics in yogurt.
- Pew Research Center’s findings on why people look to influencers for health and wellness information.
- The Myths and Scientific Realities About Gut Microbiota.
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