Have you ever felt so nervous you’re sick to your stomach? Or perhaps not being able to stomach a particularly bad piece of news you've just received? The link between the gut and the brain is not just metaphorical – these sayings have developed over time, pointing to the instinctive connection we all feel between our emotions and our gastrointestinal tracts.
Says Justin Sonnenberg, co-author of the bestseller The Good Gut, “Our brain and gut are connected by an extensive network of neurons and a highway of chemicals and hormones that constantly provide feedback about how hungry we are, whether or not we’re experiencing stress, or if we’ve ingested a disease-causing microbe. This information superhighway is called the brain-gut axis and it provides constant updates on the state of affairs at your two ends.”
The body’s second brain
The gut is often referred to the body’s second brain, which is also known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). It’s made up of more than 100 million nerve cells lining the gastrointestinal tract, from the oesophagus to the rectum.
Your gut and emotion
People have long connected the fact that our feelings affect our guts. Yet, more recently, according to Jay Pasricha, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology, it’s believed the gastrointestinal tract may actually trigger emotions.
So, while it has been thought anxiety and depression can cause illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, stomach issues like constipation and bloating, and various other related pains, Pasricha explains there’s evidence that an irritated gut may well be sending messages to the central nervous system (CNS), which in turn cause changes in our mood.
Says Giulia Enders, author of Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ, “Anyone who suffers from anxiety or depression should remember that an unhappy gut can be the cause of an unhappy mind. Sometimes, the gut has a perfect right to be unhappy, if it is dealing with an undetected food intolerance, for example.”
Some natural ways to protect your gut - and your mind
As the age-old saying goes, you are what you eat, so these are a few great foods to include in your diet to keep both your mind and gut healthy:
Food rich in probiotics
Live yoghurt is an excellent source of these “friendly” bacteria. Try some sugar-free, full-fat versions and add your own fruit. Kefir, a yoghurt drink made from fermented milk is another healthy option. You could also have sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha or apple cider vinegar.
Food rich in prebiotics
Asparagus, onions, garlic, whole grains and leeks are all great. Prebiotics are a type of fibre that humans can’t digest, but help feed the probiotics you need to inhabit your gut.
Collagen-boosting foods
These can include bone broth and salmon, which help protect your gut wall and aid digestion.
High-fibre foods
These help healthy digestion, and include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, oats, peas, avocados, pears, bananas and berries.
Rest and digest
A calmer mind for a calmer body. Try not to eat in a hurry, and time to breathe between bites.
While you gastrointestinal tract may take a bit of time to adjust, you’ll soon be feeling the effects of a happier and healthy body – from brain to brain.
Click here to shop for digestive health products
Also read: How mental wellness affects your health
IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com
* Reliance on any information provided on this Website is solely at your own risk.
The content of this Website is provided as a service to you for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need medical advice, you should seek the advice of your healthcare professional.