Have you ever noticed that you experience more frequent digestive issues when you’re under a lot of stress? As it turns out, this is no coincidence. In fact, it’s very common; your brain and your gut are closely linked. For this reason, managing stress is one major key to ensuring the health of your digestive system—and, in turn, the health of your whole body.
To learn more about the effect prolonged stress can have on our digestive systems, we spoke to Registered Dietitian (R.D.), Melissa Rifkin from MONAT. Read on for all of Rifkin’s insights, including her advice for dealing with stress so that your whole body can stay happy and healthy.
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How stress affects your gut health and digestion
Rifkin notes that the way in which stress manifests in our bodies will differ from person to person. "While some may notice an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, others may notice a change in their digestion," she points out. So, if you find that you typically run into digestive issues when life takes a stressful turn, you're certainly not alone. This is a common occurrence.
"Anxiety, stress, and depression are all thought to lead to intestinal distress because the brain and gastrointestinal tract are closely linked," Rifkin explains, noting that "loss of appetite, indigestion, diarrhea, and stomach cramps are digestive symptoms one may notice related to increased stress."
These issues can become more persistent and worsen in response to periods of prolonged stress, Rifkin explains. When this happens, she says "there is a chance the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut can be disrupted and lead to more digestive issues as well as contribute to other health problems."
The gut plays a major role in more than just your digestion; Rifkin says it can affect many areas of your overall wellbeing, from your immunity to your heart health and even to your mood. "If gut bacteria balance becomes unfavorable due to prolonged stress, any one of these factors could be impacted," she says. Yikes! Sounds like stress can do a lot more than put you in a bad mood—it could throw your whole body off track.
Managing stress and gut health
Knowing all of this, it's safe to say that managing stress is essential not only to your mental and emotional health, but also your physical health—especially when it comes to your digestion. Rifkin has several recommendations for dealing with stress.
"There are many ways to manage stress, including meditation, exercise, and supplements," she notes, emphasizing that probiotic supplements are one great option because they can "help restore your gut microbiome and assist in the proper functioning of your digestive system."
On top of all of this, it's important to remember that a healthy diet is always a must. "In addition to daily supplementation, a diet rich in fiber and adequate hydration can also aid in a healthy gut," Rifkin concludes.
