noun

gut health

GUT helth

Gut health (noun) means the overall condition and working of the digestive system, from the stomach through the intestines, including how comfortably food is digested and the makeup of the community of bacteria and other microbes living in the bowel. Example: “The article claimed that fibre-rich foods support gut health.”

noun

health, popular The overall condition and working of the digestive system, from the stomach through the intestines, including how comfortably food is digested and the makeup of the community of bacteria and other microbes living in the bowel.

"The article claimed that fibre-rich foods support gut health."

"He started keeping a food diary after months of poor gut health."

How to use gut health

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow well your stomach and intestines are working.

When to use it

Popular health vocabulary rather than a clinical term; very common in food marketing, which can make claims attached to it vague.

Memory tip

Uncountable: say 'gut health', never 'a gut health'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

gut microbiome gut feeling gut flora digestion →

Common pairings

support gut health improve gut health gut health supplement poor gut health gut microbiome

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Fill the gap

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The article claimed that fibre-rich foods support _____.

Etymology

A compound of gut, from Old English guttas 'entrails', and health.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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digestive health intestinal health bowel health

Rhymes for gut health

wealth health stealth commonwealth

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the gut and the gut microbiome?

The gut is the digestive tract itself, the physical tube that food passes through. The gut microbiome is the population of bacteria, fungi and other microbes that live inside it, mostly in the large intestine. 'Gut health' is often used loosely to cover both.

What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?

Probiotics are live microbes, found in some fermented foods and supplements, that are intended to add to the population in the gut. Prebiotics are types of fibre and other compounds that the microbes already present feed on. One supplies organisms, the other supplies their food.

Is gut health a medical diagnosis?

No. It is an informal umbrella phrase used in everyday and marketing language rather than a defined clinical condition. Doctors instead name specific conditions such as coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

What is the meaning of gut health?

"gut health" (noun) means the overall condition and working of the digestive system, from the stomach through the intestines, including how comfortably food is digested and the makeup of the community of bacteria and other microbes living in the bowel.