Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach before an important meeting? Felt nauseous when you were nervous? Or noticed your appetite change when you're feeling stressed?
We tend to think of these as emotional reactions, but they also demonstrate something fascinating about our bodies:
Your gut and your brain are constantly communicating.
This relationship is known as the gut-brain axis, and it's an increasingly important area of research into gut health and our wider wellbeing.
What is the gut-brain axis?
The gut-brain axis describes the two-way communication network connecting your gastrointestinal system and your brain.
Your digestive system contains an extensive network of nerve cells known as the enteric nervous system.
It's remarkably complex – so much so that it's sometimes referred to as our “second brain”.
That doesn't mean your gut can think in the way your brain does. Instead, it reflects just how sophisticated the nervous system within our digestive tract is.
And importantly, communication isn't all one way.
Your brain can influence what's happening within your digestive system, while signals from your gut can also communicate back to your brain.
Why do we get “butterflies” in our stomach?
Most of us have experienced the gut-brain connection without even realising it.
Before an interview, presentation or important event, you might suddenly feel butterflies in your stomach.
During periods of stress, you may notice changes to your appetite or digestive system.
These familiar experiences help illustrate the close relationship between our emotional state, nervous system and gut.
So perhaps having a “gut feeling” isn't such a strange expression after all.
Where does the gut microbiome fit in?
As we explored in the first article in The Gut Truth, our digestive system is also home to trillions of microorganisms.
Together, they're known as the gut microbiome.
Researchers continue to investigate the complex relationship between the microbiome, digestive system and brain, and how these different systems communicate with one another.
It's an exciting area of science – but also one where there is still much to learn.
Can modern life affect our gut?
Our gut microbiome isn't fixed.
A variety of everyday factors can influence the community of microorganisms living within our gut, including our diet, sleep, stress levels, physical activity, illness and certain medicines such as antibiotics.
That's one reason why looking after your gut shouldn't simply be about reacting when something feels wrong.
Gut health can form part of a much wider approach to looking after ourselves.
Eating a varied, balanced diet, staying active, getting sufficient sleep and finding ways to manage stress are all important parts of a healthy lifestyle.
Your gut is part of the bigger picture
There's no single food, supplement or lifestyle change that holds the secret to perfect gut health.
Instead, it's useful to think about the body as a collection of interconnected systems.
The relationship between the gut and brain is a great example.
As researchers continue to understand more about the gut-brain axis and gut microbiome, we're learning just how complex this relationship can be.
And that's exactly what we'll continue exploring throughout The Gut Truth.
What's next in The Gut Truth?
Next, we're taking a closer look at probiotics.
What are they? What do they actually do? And why aren't all probiotic strains necessarily the same?
We'll also be introducing you to MaXilin, the latest addition to the PH Life range, as the series progresses.
If you'd like to find out more about MaXilin in the meantime, get in touch with the PH Life team and we'll be happy to provide more information.
Next in The Gut Truth: What are probiotics and how can they support your gut?
Here’s to a happier, healthier you.
The PH Life Team