Srinagar, Jun 23: The human gut is increasingly being recognised as far more than a digestive organ, with medical experts now describing it as the body’s “second brain” due to its remarkable influence on physical health, mental well-being, immunity, metabolism, and overall quality of life. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that a healthy gut is central to maintaining a healthy mind, healthy body, and ultimately, a happy life.
According to health experts, the gut contains an intricate network of approximately 500 million neurons known as the Enteric Nervous System (ENS), which constantly communicates with the brain through nerves, hormones, immune pathways, and trillions of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract. This continuous two-way communication system, referred to as the Gut-Brain Axis, explains why digestive health and mental health are so closely interconnected.
The gut is responsible for producing several important hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate mood, sleep, appetite, digestion, and metabolism. Nearly 90 to 95 per cent of the body’s serotonin—often called the “happy hormone”—is produced in the gut. The gut also helps produce dopamine, GABA, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine, all of which influence mood, motivation, memory, concentration, alertness, and stress management. Consequently, poor gut health can contribute to anxiety, depression, mood swings, brain fog, fatigue, and reduced cognitive performance.
The gut also serves as the body’s largest immune organ, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of immune cells located in the gastrointestinal tract. Healthy gut bacteria help train and regulate the immune system, enhancing the body’s ability to fight infections while reducing chronic inflammation, which is linked to numerous diseases.
Medical professionals advise people to watch for signs of poor gut health, which may include bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, acidity, excessive gas, food intolerances, fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, mood swings, anxiety, skin problems, frequent infections, sugar cravings, low immunity, joint pain, and unexplained weight gain.
To maintain optimal gut health, health experts recommend consuming a diet rich in fibre through fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. Fermented foods such as yoghurt, curd, kefir, and traditional fermented vegetables can support a healthy microbiome by introducing beneficial microorganisms. Prebiotic foods, including garlic, onions, bananas, apples, oats, legumes, and chicory root, are particularly beneficial because they nourish healthy gut bacteria.
Staying physically active, drinking adequate water, limiting processed foods and sugary beverages, getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep, and practising stress management through meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or spending time in nature are also essential. Health professionals further caution against unnecessary use of antibiotics, which can destroy beneficial bacteria and disrupt the gut microbiome.
Medical experts conclude that maintaining gut health is one of the most effective investments individuals can make for their long-term well-being, supporting better mood, stronger immunity, improved digestion, higher energy levels, healthy weight management, better sleep, and greater resistance to disease—(KNO)
