Four in five Brits (79%) have suffered embarrassing stomach issues – with 73% experiencing diarrhoea, constipation, or bloating as often as once a week, a study has found.
Breaking wind in public, leaving a public toilet smelly, and being unable to suppress their stomach gurgling loudly during a job interview, are other gut-related incidents that leave adults red-faced.
But 39%, of the 2,000 adults polled, don't know what foods to include in their diet to help their gut – with 43% unaware of how important fibre is for their digestion.
When it comes to having a healthy gut, 54% are left scratching their heads about how to achieve this – with 35% believing their symptoms are normal, or that their gut health is not a big issue (51%).
However, 38% are unaware that digestive troubles can be a sign of poor gut health – with just a fifth believing that their symptoms could lead to health concerns.
The research was commissioned by California Almonds – which is working with registered nutritionist, Rhiannon Lambert, to raise awareness around gut health.
Rhiannon Lambert said: “Knowing the right foods is an easy first step to treating these awkward symptoms, and research reveals that fibre-rich foods like almonds can support a healthy gut.”
The research went on to find that only three in ten would turn to a nutritionist, and just 27% would see a doctor, after an embarrassing stomach incident – with 28% not wanting to waste a doctor's time.
Instead, more than two-thirds (69%) would opt to self-medicate by changing their diet (56%), drinking more water (50%), and taking over-the-counter medicine (46%).
Popular TikTok “remedies”, which many are willing to try, include charcoal supplements, ginger shots, and lemon water, according to the stats via OnePoll.
Rhiannon Lambert added: “Our gut health is certainly something that we shouldn’t overlook – looking after it helps not just our digestion, but overall wellbeing, and can even prevent more serious diseases such as colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) later down the line.
“For most of us, the key to good gut health is ensuring we’re eating a varied and balanced diet that supports our gut microbiota.
“Adding almonds is a great option to do this – and the latest scientific research shows eating whole and ground almonds can increase the short chain fatty acid butyrate, which is associated with multiple health benefits, including better sleep, decreased inflammation, and decreased risk of colon cancer.”
RHIANNON LAMBERT BUSTS THE MOST COMMON FOOD MYTHS SURROUNDING GUT HEALTH:
- MYTH: You should go to the toilet every day. You may be constipated if you notice that you haven’t passed a stool for longer than you would normally. Consuming almonds may support increased bowel movements.
- MYTH: Lemon water is great for your gut. Adding a slice of lemon to your water, while tasty, is unlikely to do anything for your gut microbiome, or provide any sort of “detox” effect. Drinking plenty of water is enough to keep your gut functioning normally, as dehydration can result in constipation.
- MYTH: You get enough of your fibre from cereals. Most don’t reach the recommended 30g of fibre per day, so if you enjoy cereals for breakfast, look for varieties that contain whole foods sources such as almonds, oats, and complex carbs.
- MYTH: Giving up gluten is good for the gut. Cutting out food groups has no benefit to the gut, and can limit a variety of healthy foods in the diet – so unless you have Coeliac disease or a confirmed intolerance, consuming gluten will likely have no negative effects. Wholemeal breads can be a great source of fibre, which is a key nutrient for supporting a healthy gut.
