We’ve all heard this saying “trust your gut instinct”and today we will be exploring this in a literal sense.

Most people don’t know this and quite we also didn’t, this topic will have you go ahaa..

The gut and the brain are connected, infact it is said to be one of the biggest connections in your body.

Experts refer to it as the gut-brain axis.

The vagus nerve, which runs from your brain to your gut, acts as a neurotransmitter; hence, the information goes from the brain to the gut and vice versa.

Examples of gut/brain interplay

When you feel anxious, you tend to get butterflies in your stomach; it’s not in a figurative sense because your brain transmits this emotion to the gut.

Similarly, when your gut is unwell(inflamed/unhealthy), it sends stress signals to the Brain.

This relationship is a two-way street.

Did you know that the gut is said to make up for around 90% of the serotonin(happy) hormone?

The gut is also made of of trillions of microorganisms that make up the gut microbome this microorganisms aid not only in gut functions such as digestion but also produce neurotransmitters.

The Neurotransmitter’s aid cognitive functions such as stabilizing your mood and thinking.

How to improve your gut/mental health

By ensuring a clean and healthy gut you also boost your mental wellness,here are a few things you can do.

• Eat more fiber-rich foods (like fruits, veggies, oats, and beans).
• Get quality sleep.
• Take fermented foods with probiotics such as yoghurt, kimchi.
• Reduce refined and processed sugars.
• Avoid/manage stress.
• Drink water.

A happy gut equals a thriving mind and vice versa.