Skip to main content
Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Free Shipping on All Domestic Orders.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KKB
Poosh
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
7 Easy Biohacks You Can Start Doing Right Now
7 Easy Biohacks You Can Start Doing Right Now
Do Opposites Really Attract?
Do Opposites Really Attract?
The Self-Care Ritual That Actually Relieves my Pain
The Self-Care Ritual That Actually Relieves my Pain
Is Trauma Trapped in Your Body?
Is Trauma Trapped in Your Body?
How Arousal Mapping Can Awaken Your Desire
How Arousal Mapping Can Awaken Your Desire
A Workout for Your Follicular Phase
A Workout for Your Follicular Phase
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
Stylist Dani Michelle Shares Her Transitional Dressing Must-Haves
Stylist Dani Michelle Shares Her Transitional Dressing Must-Haves
Poosh Product Picks: Madeleine Rose
Poosh Product Picks: Madeleine Rose
Poosh Pause: My Bali Reset
Poosh Pause: My Bali Reset
How to Detect Narcissist Red Flags
How to Detect Narcissist Red Flags
I’m Getting Married in 8 Months—This Is My Expert-Approved Skin Treatment Schedule
I’m Getting Married in 8 Months—This Is My Expert-Approved Skin Treatment Schedule
How to Thrive, Not Just Survive
How to Thrive, Not Just Survive
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
Hormone Healthy Raw Carrot Salad Recipe
Hormone Healthy Raw Carrot Salad Recipe
Must-Have Items New Moms Swear By
Must-Have Items New Moms Swear By
Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
Under $50: Chic Bathroom Organization Accessories
Under $50: Chic Bathroom Organization Accessories
  • family
  • kourtney
Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
Khloé Kardashian’s Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Veggie Burrito Bowls
Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
Vegan Armenian Lahmacun Recipe From Kourt’s Incredible Spread
Why Kourt Loves Seed Cycling
Why Kourt Loves Seed Cycling
Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
Kourt’s Favorite Cajun Kale Chips
3 Salads Kourt is Eating on Rotation Right Now
3 Salads Kourt is Eating on Rotation Right Now
Kourtney’s Wet Hair Look: The Breakdown
Kourtney’s Wet Hair Look: The Breakdown
What are you looking for?

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KKB
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
health

Do These  GUT REMEDIES Really Work?

By Poosh
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @isabelagrutman
@isabelagrutman

Gut health is wealth, on all fronts. Maintaining proper gut function has an effect on our immune response, sleep, skin, mood, and overall function, and maintaining it is a peak necessity. But with all the “biohacks” on the internet today, how do we know what really works, what is just hype, and what could actually make things worse depending on existing conditions?

We went straight to the queen of such questions, registered dietitian, founder of Diet Doctors, and Nutrition Director of LifeSpan Medicine, Rachel Swanson. She broke down the pros and cons of classic go-to supplements and foods we reach for when we’re feeling not so good, to bust whether or not they have substantiated benefits.

Celery Juice

Pro: “Many clients tell me they love their morning ritual with celery juice because it helps keep them regular. If you enjoy it and it works well for you, then by all means—continue.”

Con: “For those with pre-existing conditions like IBS or SIBO, celery juice can exacerbate symptoms like bloating due to the large bolus of the polyol called mannitol (a fermentable carbohydrate).” The process of fermentation creates gas. Imagine that happening inside us… pretty literal.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Pro: “There is definitely some merit when it comes to ACV being used as a digestive aid and/or for acid reflux. The risk is relatively low for those who are curious and want to give it a try—I recommend diluting with some water; otherwise, it can be an esophageal irritant due to the acidity.”

Con: “Despite ACV being around for thousands of years, there is no hard clinical evidence to support the anecdotal benefits related to gastrointestinal health.”

Pre/Probiotics

Pro: “A diet rich in both pre- and probiotics is key to supporting overall microbiome health and, in turn, will benefit much more than the gut (e.g. the immune system). Supplemental, strain-specific pre- and probiotics are often used as a more targeted approach for GI concerns, like managing digestive discomfort in cases of IBS or dysbiosis, or to help lower inflammation.”

Con: “If there is any underlying gut issue like SIBO to begin with, increasing consumption of foods rich in pre/probiotics can add fuel to the fire. In this case, you’ll want to speak with a dietitian or functional medicine doctor who can help identify the root of the issue before you start refurbishing your gut.” In other words, SIBO, aka Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, could actually worsen from, well, adding more bacteria. You get the idea.

More to consider in the realm of buzzy probiotics, Swanson points out, is that it’s the Wild West out there, both food-wise and supplement-wise. “While some have proven efficacy, the vast majority of what’s on the market has little or no data supporting its utility, like the ‘healthy’ desserts that contain ‘added probiotics’ … relatively useless.”

Kombucha

Pro: “It’s a fermented beverage that does contain live cultures/microbes. If it’s low in sugar [under 5 grams is what Swanson considers low in her practice], then it can be a superior option compared to flavored, sweetened beverages that would have been chosen otherwise.”

Con: “Kombucha on its own is not recommended clinically as a gut remedy (but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it). Also, kombuchas typically do not meet the required level of evidence to be considered probiotics—technically only characterized strains of microbes with a scientifically demonstrated effect on health should be called probiotics.” So while it does contain live bacteria, we haven’t been able to prove that said bacteria from kombucha specifically helps to repopulate the gut.

Coconut oil

Pro: “Some of coconut oil’s derivatives (e.g. MCT oil) and byproducts (e.g. monolaurin) do have clinical application.” Monolaurin is a compound that can be used in a treatment approach for yeast overgrowth, which in the intestines is known as SIFO (Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth).

Con: “Research exploring the use of these [compounds] (for GI remedies or otherwise) is much different than using commercially available coconut oil. Any articles claiming otherwise are often citing research that was conducted in piglets, rats, or in-vitro models.”

While coconut oil may have some anti-microbial benefits topically, the active compounds we derive from it are only potent in concentrated amounts. It’s definitely a healthy fat to add to our diets, but in terms of gut health, it’s not a catalyst for any substantial changes to our gut health specifically.

Shop our daily supplements collection:

Shop Collagen Inner Beauty Boost Supercharged
Shop Cortisol Balancer
Shop Adult Chocolate Probiotic Hearts
Shop Super Troop Mushroom Gummy
Shop Lion's Mane + Reishi Mushroom Gummy Bundle
Shop Beauty in a Bottle
Shop Children's Chocolate Probiotic Hearts
Shop Lion's Mane Mushroom Gummy
Shop Healthy Flora
Shop Reishi Mushroom Gummy
Shop Glow Inner Beauty Essential Supercharged
Shop Well Spray Inner Beauty Support

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the interviewee only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

You may also like...

Go to article Morning Detox and Wellness Hacks Pt 2
Hacks

Morning Detox and Wellness Hacks Pt 2

Go to article How to Cope With Summer Colds
health

How to Cope With Summer Colds

Related Articles

Goes to article 7 Easy Biohacks You Can Start Doing Right Now
health

7 Easy Biohacks You Can Start Doing Right Now

Goes to article The Self-Care Ritual That Actually Relieves my Pain
body

The Self-Care Ritual That Actually Relieves my Pain

Goes to article A Workout for Your Follicular Phase
fitness

A Workout for Your Follicular Phase

Goes to article How to Tell the Difference Between Dry and Dehydrated Skin
body

How to Tell the Difference Between Dry and Dehydrated Skin

Goes to article Did You Know… Laughing is Good for the Heart
health

Did You Know… Laughing is Good for the Heart

Goes to article What Kind of Sleeper Are You?
body

What Kind of Sleeper Are You?

Goes to article Hormone Healthy Raw Carrot Salad Recipe
recipes

Hormone Healthy Raw Carrot Salad Recipe

Goes to article 5 Common Lies We Tell Ourselves
mind

5 Common Lies We Tell Ourselves

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Allyant for Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved