Have you ever wondered why people keep referring to gut health when it comes to living a healthy life? It seems that everyone in the world is recently going through some sort of awakening about their gut health. There have been many recent studies, articles, podcasts, and even Instagram reels all discussing the same concept of how to improve your gut health. So, why is gut health so important, you ask?

To answer this question properly, perhaps it’s best to think about it in two parts: what is gut health and why is it important?

Honestly, after working in the field of nutrition for over 20 years, I can confidently say that many of the issues related to weight, energy, skin, and even hormones are connected to gut health.

Essentially, your gut health is responsible for your overall well-being as it plays a very important role in various bodily functions. 

This is where the generic answer to the question, “Why is gut health so important” comes into play. 

Basically, a healthy gut translates into a healthy body since your gut is fulfilling the responsibility of making sure that all of the essential nutrients coming from your food are being absorbed by your body. 

There is definitely a lot more to the story, though, because the gut is involved in maintaining your overall health in so many unimaginable ways! 

Imbalances in the gut microbiota (collection of gut microorganisms) can lead to issues such as inflammation, poor digestion, and even mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Therefore, maintaining a balanced gut microbiome (ecosystem of gut microorganisms) is crucial for an individual’s optimal health and quality of life. 

Why is Having a Healthy Gut Important?

Improved Digestion and Nutrient Absorption 

You might have heard people say, “trust your gut,” and even though that doesn’t refer to the biological concept of the gut as much as the figurative association, the phrase does have some truth in your physical health as well.

As we talked about earlier, your gut plays a crucial role in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. A healthy gut ensures that the body is efficiently absorbing essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from the food consumed. In simple terms, a healthy gut allows you to “trust” that your body is receiving all of the essential nutrients that you’re consuming.

This really means that your gut is a constant player in contributing to your overall health and energy levels​​​​—and as mentioned, it is the simplest answer to the topic at hand: why is gut health so important? But, the gut’s function is a bit more complex than simply being a supervisor for the nutrients coming into the body. Let’s take a look at all the other, more complex, reasons why gut health is so important.

Gut-Immune Connection 

Did you know that your gut also supports a robust immune system? This is actually because a significant portion of your immune system (approximately 80%) resides in your gut. I know what you’re wondering: why is gut health important to immunity? The complexity—of the gut and its functions—actually stems from the fact that there are many different types of bacteria that reside in the gut.

In other words, healthy gut flora, which is a community of microorganisms that live in your intestines, can help prevent infections. They are also responsible for maintaining a balanced immune response by reducing the likelihood of chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions. In simple terms, this community of good gut bacteria makes sure that your body is ready to combat any infections and illnesses headed your way. 

The Gut-Weight Connection

We’ve learned about the gut’s role in immunity, but there is an age-old question that has created quite a stir among medical professionals and common people, alike: why is gut health important for weight loss? 

Gut health is intricately linked to weight management, and the reason for this is that poor gut health can lead to insulin resistance, increased fat storage, and chronic inflammation. These are all of the main reasons for an individual’s weight gain. As a result, a healthy gut can help people in their weight loss journey by improving their metabolism and regulating their appetite​​​​. In fact, good gut health not only helps people shed unwanted weight, but also improves their mental well-being that may be a contributor to the weight gain in the first place. 

The Gut-Brain Connection

On the path of answering the question “why is gut health so important,” we must explore the idea of how gut affects the brain. To best explain this, it’s important to understand that the gut and the brain are connected through a system that is known in medical terminology as the gut-brain axis. 

Basically, the gut-brain axis is a complex communication network that links your gut and brain. Studies—that have been conducted on this interesting connection—have found that the gut and brain are in constant communication with each other. For instance, healthy gut bacteria help produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which can influence mood and cognitive function. Therefore, improving gut health can have positive effects on the overall mental wellbeing of an individual by reducing any symptoms of anxiety and depression​​. 

Gut Health and Inflammation

Another benefit of improved gut health is the body’s response in reducing inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a common issue linked to various health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. In fact, chronic inflammation is most often the first noticeable sign of an underlying health issue. 

So, if we’re going back to answering the question of why is gut health so important? Then, the simple answer—in regards to inflammation—is that a healthy gut helps regulate the body's inflammatory response, which further reduces the risk of chronic diseases and improves your overall health​​​​.

Gut-Skin Connection

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the idea of how the gut is involved in your skin health. Recently, there has been a rise in online searches for things like: “how prebiotics help skin,” “how can good gut bacteria reduce acne,” or  “why is gut health important for skin.” 

All of these queries surround the main idea that people are starting to recognize the role of good gut bacteria in maintaining healthy looking skin. 

Several studies have indicated that your skin often shows visible signs of an unhealthy gut. This is because gut health can affect skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. So, by maintaining a healthy gut, you can improve your skin health, leading to clearer, more radiant skin​​​​.

The Gut-Hormone Connection

Did you know that hormone production such as insulin and cortisol are influenced by your gut health? And that’s not even the fascinating part! What’s truly interesting is that good gut bacteria has the ability to regulate these hormones.  

So, why is gut health so important when it comes to hormonal balance? Well, the reason is that this hormonal balance is crucial for weight management and the overall well-being of an individual. 

What’s more is that a healthy, hormonally-balanced gut can lead to improved metabolic health (your body’s response to food consumption and storage in a favorable way) and reduced stress levels.

Enhanced Energy Levels 

A lot of people that struggle with gut issues often complain about constantly feeling tired or an overall reduction in their energy levels. This most often has to do with how their body is responding to the food being consumed. 

Essentially, when we think about why gut health is so important for enhanced energy, we must consider how well our body is absorbing essential nutrients. Good gut bacteria not only aids in nutrient absorption, but also reduces fatigue and brain fog that prevents you from feeling energetic throughout the day.

Therefore, by maintaining a healthy gut that optimizes digestion and nutrient absorption, you can intentionally boost your energy levels and be ready to take on the day!

Final Thoughts 

When people visit a dietitian, like myself, their first question is often: why is gut health so important? And when we work through listing out their concerns and drawing connections, they are surprised with the various interconnected ways in which gut health affects their overall wellbeing. 

This is to say that most often, when we address the above listed health concerns with a focus on gut health, all of the issues begin to resolve simultaneously. It is this revelation that encourages us to pay close attention to our gut microbiome and work on improving our gut health.

Above all, prioritizing your gut health is crucial for various aspects of your well-being ranging from physical health and weight management to mental clarity and emotional balance. By maintaining a healthy gut, you can truly achieve a transformative impact on your overall quality of life.