Brits know more about Netflix and the Royal Family – than they do about gut health
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Nearly half feel that a healthy gut is a priority – but one in five don’t even know where the organ is located in their body, the research found
Brits are likely to know more about Netflix, mobile phone apps, and the Royal Family – than they do about their gut, and keeping it healthy, a study has found.
A poll of 2,000 adults discovered that almost a fifth (18%) don’t even know where their gut is located within their body – while 35% have no idea what it is, or what it does.
And while almost half (45%) believe gut health is a priority, many are more knowledgeable about air fryers, TikTok, and Taylor Swift, than they are about this part of their anatomy.
However, six in 10 have relied on their gut to help them make a huge life decision – such as whether to accept a new job, buy a house, and even whether to stay married, or get divorced.
Meanwhile, 38% also let their gut guide them when it comes to little, everyday decisions – but 72% fail to support the organ’s function by taking dietary supplements.
The research was commissioned by global health and wellness company, Herbalife, whose nutritionist, Dr Richard Allison, said: “As the research shows, Brits “trust their gut” for a lot of decisions – big and small.
“But surprisingly, they know very little about one of the most important organs in our bodies. The gut not only helps digest food to support a healthy digestive system, but its function aids our bodies physically, and also has a significant impact on our day-to-day mental health.”
The gut – which typically refers to the organs in the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, intestines, and colon – plays a vital role in the healthy functioning of the human body.
Yet 95% don’t know how much serotonin the average human gut produces – with the answer, fittingly, around 95%. Meanwhile, just 5% are aware that approximately 70% of the body’s immune cells are located in the gut.
And almost three-quarters (72%) correctly identified the gut as the organ which provides all other organs with life-supporting nutrition – although 15% incorrectly believe the heart does this.
Carried out through OnePoll, the study also identified a widespread lack of understanding surrounding probiotics – live bacteria and yeasts which are good for the digestive system.
Some mistakenly believe probiotics are naturally contained within pasta (5%), ice cream (4%), coffee (4%), fried chicken (4%), and even cake (3%).
Dr Richard Allison, nutritionist for Herbalife, makers of Microbiotic Max, a food supplement containing probiotics, added: “Our busy lifestyles mean that we’re prone to skipping meals and eating on-the-go.”
However, the member of the Sport and Exercise Nutritionist Register (SENR) believes that supplements formulated with a combination of live bacteria and fibre are “an easy way to nourish your gut effortlessly”.
And he added that this combination “helps fight off the less friendly bacteria, and boosts immunity against infections”.
TOP 10 THINGS BRITS KNOW MORE ABOUT THAN GUT HEALTH:
- Mobile phone apps
- Netflix
- Their football team
- The offside rule
- The Royal Family
- Air fryers
- TikTok
- The Traitors
- EastEnders storylines
- Taylor Swift
DR RICHARD ALLISON’S TOP FIVE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR GUT HEALTHY:
- Introduce a new type of fruit or vegetable every week
- Chew your food, a minimum of 15-20 times
- Avoid large meals within three hours of going to bed
- Have fibre-rich food everyday
- Stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water throughout the day
