Your gut is more important than you probably ever thought! Did you know that your gut is actually your second brain?

Therefore, making sure you gut is as healthy as possible should be high on your list of importance.

As many as 40% Brits have gut and digestive issues with this figure continuing to rise.

Gut bacteria performs many important functions in the body including aiding the immune system, producing serotonin in the brain and making energy available to the body from the food we eat.

Studies have shown that the gut helps to aid our overall health.  So if you want to dig a little deeper into what the gut really does for your body we have listed a few of the ways it helps your overall health.

Helps to synthesise vitamins

• The bacteria in our gut aid the production of vitamins such as vitamin B and vitamin K.
• Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and healthy blood circulation.
• Vitamin B aids the generation of energy in the body.

Helps maintain a healthy weight

• The gut microbiome helps absorb and metabolise food as it pre processes everything you eat.
• Some studies suggest that gut microbes may influence appetite regulation which can in turn impact on our weight.

Regulation of the immune system

• The gut is responsible for approximately 80% of the body’s immunity
• By enhancing the health of our gut, we therefore improve our immune health.

Brain function

• The gut is often referred to as the second brain as they are inter-connected.
• The gut produces 50% of dopamine in the body which is a joy hormone.
• The gut produces 90% of the body’s serotonin. This is a hormone that influences our mood and happiness.

The many functions in the gut indicate why if we look after it, it will help look after us.