Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, and the mix of those microbes affects digestion, immunity, and even mood. Fixing an unhealthy gut starts with food: eat more fiber from vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains, and cut back on highly processed foods and added sugar. Add regular movement, sleep, and stress management, and … Read more
Greek yogurt can support gut health, but it is not a reliable probiotic supplement. Most Greek yogurt sold in the US is made from milk that was pasteurized after fermentation, which kills the live bacteria. Whether a specific tub delivers live cultures depends almost entirely on whether the label says “live and active cultures” and … Read more
No, 7Up is not a good choice for an upset stomach. Carbonated soft drinks like 7Up contain sugar, carbonation, and acidity that can make nausea, bloating, and stomach discomfort worse rather than better. The idea that clear sodas settle the stomach is a widely repeated piece of advice, but it does not hold up well … Read more
Most stomach cramps ease within a few hours with simple home care. The fastest reliable steps are gentle heat on the belly, small sips of clear fluid, and avoiding food and drink that irritate the gut until things settle. Rest helps too. What you should not do is ignore cramps that are severe, one-sided, or … Read more
Ice cream usually counts as an ultra-processed food, and it can affect your gut — but not because of one single ingredient. The effect depends on what’s in your bowl, how much you eat, and how your gut handles sugar, fat, and dairy. Most people can eat ice cream without harming their gut. The trouble … Read more
Your gut holds trillions of bacteria, and what you eat shapes which ones thrive. The two most powerful food levers you control are fiber and fermented foods. Fiber feeds the bacteria already living in your colon, while fermented foods can add live microbes and change the gut environment. Most adults in the US eat far … Read more
Most stomach bugs run their course in about one to three days. The worst part — vomiting and watery diarrhea — usually peaks within the first 24 to 48 hours and then eases. Some viruses, like norovirus, tend to clear faster, while others, like rotavirus in young children, can linger for up to a week. … Read more
That rumbling, gurgling, or growling sound coming from your belly has a name: borborygmi. It is the sound of gas and fluid moving through your digestive tract as the muscles of your gut contract and push contents along. Almost everyone experiences it, it is usually normal, and in most cases it is not a sign … Read more
PMS bloating is real, it is common, and it is driven by hormone shifts rather than by anything you did wrong. The most reliable ways to decrease PMS bloating are to reduce salt intake in the week before your period, stay hydrated, eat potassium-rich foods, move your body daily, and get enough sleep. These steps … Read more
Yes, it is possible to throw up water on an empty stomach. Vomiting is a reflex controlled by the brain, not by how much food is in your stomach. When that reflex triggers, it will push out whatever is there — and if you have recently drunk water, that means clear liquid and little else. … Read more