De-bunking all those gut health myths for a healthier body

Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

This week is Love Your Gut Week, which is an apt time to examine some of the myths that exist out there about one of the most important parts of the body. Separating fact from fiction is not easy when it comes to gut health. Dietician Dr Megan Rossi advises us that looking after gut health doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can be difficult when you aren’t sure what advice to follow.

The biggest myth about the gut is that you need to have a restrictive diet to look after it. But all of the misinformation out there about cutting out foods for gut health can be very damaging. Generally speaking, you do not need to cut out gluten, dairy or coffee, go vegan, for good gut health.

“There are a subset of people who may have genuine intolerances to different components of foods, such as lactose. However, it’s worth checking your tolerance level, as hard cheese – which is very low in lactose – is generally well-tolerated.

“Looking after your gut is all about inclusivity, moderation and getting plenty of plant diversity. It’s far more about what you include than what you exclude.”

Another myth which is being constantly repeated is that bloating is all down to what we eat.

“The truth is there is no single cause and there are many different triggers. Outside of conditions such as coeliac disease – an autoimmune condition where your body reacts to gluten – and food intolerances, I find it’s rarely the case that specific foods alone cause bloating. Stress, wearing tight clothes all day and lack of movement are common contributors – as well as how we eat,” insists Dr Rossi.

“Before cutting out foods that are perfectly good for you because an online article said lentils or apples were the ‘biggest culprits’, there are a bunch of simple things you can do to ease the bloat. These include checking for common food intolerances, splitting your food intake into smaller meals, chewing well and avoiding tight clothes. If you are experiencing persistent bloating, it is worth mentioning to your GP who can test you for other conditions, such as coeliac disease.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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