Hormones, Stress, And Gut Health: A Woman's Guide To Digestive Wellness
From hormonal shift to stress to improper diet, these factors can impact the digestive health of women.
When it comes to overall health, your gut plays a bigger role than you might think, especially for women. From hormonal shifts to stress and diet, digestive health is often overlooked. Various factors uniquely impact women's digestive systems throughout different life stages. Understanding how to care for your gut can lead to better energy, immunity, and even mood.
Dr Kalpana Gupta, Clinical Nutritionist at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital in Saket, shares six things all women must know to keep their digestive health in check. Digestive well-being is the foundation of health, and gentle care allows women to optimise their digestive function for better overall well-being.
Menstruation and Digestion: Menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause make the digestive process of women change with the hormonal shifts. The hormonal shifts can influence the digestive process, leading to bloating, constipation, or diarrhea symptoms.
Gut Health: Gut microbiome, i.e., microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract, is involved in healthy digestion. A balance in the microbiome enhances nutrient absorption, boosts immunity, and regulates metabolism. Probiotics, fibre, and fermented foods like yoghurt can induce the balance.
Impact of Stress: Long-term stress wreaks havoc on your digestion. It alters the way your gut functions, can lead to inflammation, and can cause problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Engaging in activities such as mindfulness, yoga, or deep breathing can calm you down and improve your gut health.
Nutrition: Women require around 25 grams of fiber every day to maintain their digestive system under control. Consuming veggies, fruits, whole grains, and legumes rich in fiber makes you regular and constipation-free. Fibre-rich foods also work wonders in maintaining your gut microbiome in a healthy state.
Hydration: Water is crucial for digestive health. It helps to break down food, absorb nutrients, and prevent constipation. Drinking plenty of water during the day helps to digest easily and stay healthy.
Listen to Your Body: There is no such thing as the 'typical" woman's body. If you find that you have ongoing digestive discomfort, you need to listen to your body and speak with a dietitian. Personalised dietary changes can make a huge impact on digestive health and avoid chronic complications.
First Published:
May 30, 2025, 14:30 IST
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