Gut Health and its impact on Mental health
We have all heard the statement "You are what you eat". This isn't just a blanket statement, but the impact of food on gut health and thereby its impact on mental health, emotions, and overall well-being is tremendous. If you've ever had a gut-wrenching feeling or have felt butterflies in your stomach, you know there is a connection between emotions and the gut. This is why you may feel nauseous in stressful situations or have diarrhea before an important exam or interview. This connection between the gut and brain is called the Gut-Brain axis. It is a connection between the CNS of the brain and the Enteric nervous system (ENS) of the gut. The gut is also known as the second brain. This connection is evident in diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) where psychological stress or anxiety can worsen the gut symptoms. On the other hand, studies have found that anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders are linked with Ga...