Quarter of Brits say they experience 'embarrassing' gut health problems weekly
Brits are battling embarrassing gut health problems in public, with as many three quarters regularly coping with red-faced moments.
Turns out breaking wind and leaving a public toilet smelly are top red-faced issues, alongside your stomach gurgling noticeably in a job interview.
As many as 79% of Brits experience embarrassing tummy issues, with 73% suffering from symptoms such as bloating, constipation and diarrhoea at least one day a week – the equivalent to seven weeks a year.
Despite so many being affected by digestive troubles, more than a third (38%) don't realise that these embarrassing moments could indicate poor gut health.
The poll of 2,000 British adults, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Californian Almonds, also revealed that only a fifth (20%) say their problematic symptoms cause health concerns.
Gut health is confusing for over half of Brits (54%) and the majority (56%) choose to self-medicate by making changes to their diet.
Despite this, two fifths (39%) don’t know what foods are good for their gut and 43% are clueless about the key role that fibre plays.
It seems Dr Google has been replaced by Dr Tik Tok, with only three in 10 (30%) turning to an expert such as a nutritionist and just 27% saying they would see a doctor after an embarrassing stomach incident.
"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," explains nutritionist, Rhiannon Lambert.
"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."
Lambert says that 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."
The most common food myths surrounding gut health
MYTH: You should go to the toilet every day
According to Lambert for some, it’s normal for your bowels to move 2-3 times a day whereas for others, 2-3 times per week is normal, so there’s usually no need for concern if you’re staying regular on your own schedule.
"You may be constipated if you notice that you haven’t passed a stool for longer than you would normally," she explains.
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, Lambert says.
"We don’t need to use techniques like this or detox products to help ‘cleanse’ the body, as our bodies have a highly effective detoxification system already to do this, namely the liver and the kidneys," Lambert explains. "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 of us don’t reach our 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.
"This is an excellent way to up your fibre intake, stock up on nutrients, and help to prevent gut-related diseases such as bowel cancer in the long term," Lambert adds.
MYTH: Giving up gluten is good for the gut
Cutting out food groups without an allergy or intolerance 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.
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