Can gut health affect mental health?

What is meant by gut health?

The term ‘gut health’ refers to how well your digestive system is working.

Your digestive system is also known as your gastrointestinal (GI) tract or your gut. Your gut is where your body digests food, absorbs energy and nutrients, and gets rid of waste products. It includes your throat, food pipe, stomach and intestines.

Your gut contains trillions of tiny bacteria and other microorganisms. But unlike harmful bacteria that can make you ill, many of the natural bacteria found in your gut are good for you.

This is because they help to break down the food you eat. They might also support your immune system.

You might also hear the bacteria in your gut called good bacteria, friendly bacteria, gut flora, microorganisms, microbiota or microbes.

What can affect my gut health?

There are lots of things that can change the balance of bacteria within your gut. This includes:

• taking certain antibiotics
• having food poisoning 
• having a health condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• having travellers’ diarrhoea
• ageing

How can I improve my gut health?

One of the best things you can do to look after your gut is to eat a balanced and varied diet. Try to include lots of fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains.

Probiotics

Some people also take probiotics to try and improve their gut health. Probiotics are ‘live’ bacteria found in some yoghurts and yoghurt drinks. They’re also found in fermented foods such as kefir, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso and tempeh. You can buy probiotic supplements too.

If you do choose to take probiotics, it’s important to know that there are lots of different types (strains).

Not all probiotics products or supplements are made or work in the same way. If you’re a healthy person, taking probiotics is generally considered safe. But they may not be suitable for you if you have problems with your immune system so speak to a GP before trying them.

Prebiotics

You can also include prebiotics in your diet. Prebiotics are a type of fibre that can’t be digested by your body. Instead, they feed the good bacteria in your gut and help them to grow.

Prebiotics are found naturally in:

• onions
• garlic
• asparagus
• artichoke
• chicory
• bananas

You can also buy prebiotic supplements.

Are gut health and mental health related?

Yes. There is a link between your gut and your brain. This is sometimes known as the mind-gut connection, the brain-gut connection, or the gut-brain axis.

Maybe you find that if you feel anxious or stressed you experience gut symptoms too.

You might lose your appetite, get pain in your tummy, or experience diarrhoea. Research has also shown that some digestive conditions, such as IBS, are linked with both anxiety and depression.

Can probiotics help my mental health?

We don’t know yet. Some studies suggest that changing your gut bacteria could influence your mood. Many of these studies use probiotics to change the type or number of gut bacteria people have. But there is currently not enough evidence that probiotics are helpful in treating or preventing any mental health conditions.

If you’re struggling with your mental health it’s very important to speak to a GP who can offer you advice and support.