Heard the expression “I went with my gut on this one” or felt “butterflies in your stomach” when nervous? It comes from an unexpected source: your second brain. Scientists call this the “enteric nervous system” (ENS).
The ENS can’t think but it communicates with our big brain. Hidden in the walls of the digestive system, this “brain in your gut” is revolutionizing medicine’s understanding of the links between digestion, mood, health and even the way you think.
Ever been nervous and gotten an upset stomach? Researchers are finding that irritation in the gastrointestinal system signals the central nervous system that can trigger mood changes. If you have irritable-bowel syndrome and functional bowel problems this may explain some of your depression and anxiety.
By altering the types of bacteria in your gut, it may be possible to improve your brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids, fermented foods, probiotics and other polyphenol-rich foods may improve your gut health, which may benefit the gut-brain axis.
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