Is it possible that your Gut Problems are a physical manifestation of emotional stress? A new significant study published in February 2025 in the journal Gastroenterology has just found that psychological stress can actually rewire your body to view safe familiar foods as threats, activating the immune system to attack and the nervous system to respond, resulting in pain and inflammation.
Even more crazy is that the body remembers the stress response and will respond in the future with pain and inflammation when the same food is ingested. This is called immune memory. The age old advice not to eat when you're in an angry or stressed state is very true, and the study proves it.
In the study the researchers fed mice a common dietary protein during a 10 day period of psychological stress. They were fed the same protein 5 weeks later.
Only stressed mice later developed gut pain and sensitivity when the food was reintroduced. The other mice that were not put under stress the first time, did not develop symptoms when the food was reintroduced 5 weeks later.
The mice were not intrinsically allergic to the protein before the study (they didn't have classic allergy symptoms such as ear swelling when the substance was injected under their skin.
Researchers noticed increased levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-13) in the lymph nodes after the mice ate the protein food the second time, which is associated with allergic immune responses. Literally the food had become an allergen to the mice.
The researchers extracted gut fluid from the stressed mice and applied it to healthy neurons (brain cells). The neurons became hyperactive, emitting pain signals. It seems that chemicals in the intestinal fluid disturbed normal nervous system behavior.
Its important to note that in the study both the small and large intestines were adversely affected.
THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH ON THE GUT
Mental health profoundly impacts all inflammatory responses in the body. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the effects are often felt immediately, where psychological stress can cause exacerbated disease flares.
THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH ON THE GUT
Mental health profoundly impacts all inflammatory responses in the body. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the effects are often felt immediately, where psychological stress can cause exacerbated disease flares.
Understanding Digestion & The Impact of Stress
After a substance is ingested, sensory cells in the gut regulated by the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) scan it for toxins and harmful compounds. These cells communicate with both the brain and immune system to trigger appropriate protective responses, which can include inflammation, increased mucus production, and the generation of antibodies. These antibodies are specialized proteins designed to recognize and tag specific molecules—such as antigens—alerting the immune and nervous systems to potential threats.
When the enteric nervous system (ENS) is exposed to chronic psychological stress, it can malfunction leading to intestinal inflammation. More specifically: When the body experiences prolonged stress, it produces high levels of glucocorticoids (a type of steroid hormone, like cortisol). These stress hormones cause certain cells in the gut's nervous system (called enteric glia) to change into a type that promotes inflammation. These inflammatory enteric glia then encourage immune cells called monocytes to become active, and they help trigger inflammation by increasing levels of TNF (tumor necrosis factor, a powerful inflammatory molecule.
Stress also increases mast cell activity in the gut, which leads to nerve hypersensitivity and immune system changes that trigger IBS symptoms like bloating, pain, and altered digestion
When stress becomes chronic, hormones like cortisol and CRF impair digestion, damage the gut lining, and throw off your microbial balance, worsening IBS symptoms, or causing poor digestion, constipations and bloat.
Stress Relieving Techniques for Better Gut Health:
If you believe that Stress is a Factor in your Gut Problems then it's imperative to practice Stress Relieving Techniques.
1) Stress Relieving Herbs- Calm & Tranquil
For the ultimate stress relieving herbs try our CALM & TRANQUIL, an ultra potent herbal tonic.
It relieves anxiety, balances emotions, supports brain function, improves focus, and protects against stress. It helps the brain work at its best by giving it the right nutrition and clearing out toxins.
It helps restore important minerals and antioxidants, reducing brain inflammation. For Anxiety & Depression Relief.
To learn more about Calm & Tranquil click here
2) Engage in Creative Activities-
One of the best stress relieving techniques is engaging in creative outlets such as: writing, drawing, painting, dance, or picking up a new skill like woodworking or DJing, or even going back to college and taking a class you've always wanted to take.
3) Exercise regularly —
Studies Show that exercise improves IBS symptoms and promotes overall well-being. This can help to reduce gas, bloating, stress, and anxiety, all of which can trigger gut symptoms It also boosts mood and lowers cortisol levels. Dance, aerobics, weight lifting etc...
Diet for IBS with Chronic Constipation
Diet for IBS with Chronic Constipation:
1) Eat a diet high in Natural Fiber -
Do not supplement with fiber, which irritates the digestive lining. Opt for food sources of fiber. Consume fruits and vegetables (both raw and cooked). These plant foods are full of fiber, nutrients, and natural digestive enzymes. Source local and fresh if possible.
ANCIENT GRAIN SOURDOUGH BREAD- The best source of natural fiber is actually real wholegrain bread. Most store bought breads including sourdough breads and "wholewheat" flours have 20-50% of the healthy bran and wheat germ removed to promote store shelf stability and to increase the rise (white flour rises, true wholewheat flour doesn't). At Joseph's Organic Bakery our Bread is truly 100% wholegrain, no refined flour added, ensuring high bran and fiber content.
We freshly grind our grain, then we start the fermentation process. This ensures the HIGHEST NUTRIENT TO CALORIE RATIO Possible. We focus on making every bite count. At Joseph's Organic bakery our bread is truly wholegrain (most bakeries take out the bran). Check out our Einkorn Bread .
2) Avoid animal protein & Processed Foods-
(if you must eat meat and chicken, be sure to cook in water, avoid frying and grilling) however, its best to avoid. Pause these foods for a few weeks at least to cleanse out the colon. Fish should always be avoided.
No soy, rice, corn, no guar gum, no xantham gums, no cellulose, no trans fats, no processed foods.
3) Drink Water -
Water hydrates stool. Try to source good quality spring water.
One of the best waters for digestion and constipation is our Digestive Water . It cleanses the colon and provides key nutrients. The Digestive Water has a natural laxative effect.
4) Eat Probiotic Foods -
Consume healthy probiotics like Raw Sauerkraut and Umeboshi Plums.
Beneficial microbes/probiotics play a crucial role in the body by performing several key functions, such as: Breaking down food, Helping the body absorb nutrients from food, Regulating the growth of harmful microbes.
Maintaining the right balance of these microbes is essential for a healthy digestive system.
Our Umeboshi Plums are fermented for 3 years ensuring high probiotic levels.
5) Digestive Supporting Herbs -
Various herbs can support the gut and alleviate constipation.
Check out our Constipation Relief Tea , which not only alleviates constipation but also replenishes the gut microbiome for Overall Gut Rejuvenation.
To learn more about our IBS/Constipation Diet Program contact us 954-541-4062
or click here IBS & Constipation Support Diet Plan - 14 Day Starter Plan for IBS wit – Joseph's Organic Bakery
Diet for IBS with diarrhea
1) Avoid refined Grains- opt for Real Bread
ANCIENT GRAIN SOURDOUGH BREAD- The best source of carbohydrates is actually real wholegrain bread. Most store bought breads including sourdough breads and "wholewheat" flours have 20-50% of the healthy bran and wheat germ removed to promote store shelf stability and to increase the rise (white flour rises, true wholewheat flour doesn't). At Joseph's Organic Bakery our Bread is truly 100% wholegrain, no refined flour added, keeping blood sugar levels stables, preventing the proliferation of bad gut bacteria.
The fermentation process ensures high probiotic levels. Each bread provides the HIGHEST NUTRIENT TO CALORIE RATIO Possible. We focus on making every bite count. Check out our Einkorn Bread .
2) Avoid animal protein & Processed Foods- except for bone broth
(if you must eat meat and chicken, be sure to cook in water, avoid frying and grilling) however, its best to avoid. Pause these foods for a few weeks at least to cleanse out the colon. Fish should always be avoided.
3) No soy, rice, corn, no guar gum, no xantham gums, no cellulose, no trans fats, no processed foods.
4) Eat Probiotic Foods -
Consume healthy probiotics like Raw Sauerkraut and Umeboshi Plums.
Beneficial microbes/probiotics play a crucial role in the body by performing several key functions, such as: Breaking down food, Helping the body absorb nutrients from food, Regulating the growth of harmful microbes.
Maintaining the right balance of these microbes is essential for a healthy digestive system.
Our Umeboshi Plums are fermented for 3 years ensuring high probiotic levels.
Our Sauerkraut is made in-house in small batches.
5) Digestive Supporting Herbs -
Various herbs can support the gut and alleviate constipation.
Check out our IBS & Crohn's Support Tea , which supports a healthy gut microbiome for Overall Gut Rejuvenation.
To learn more about our IBS Diet Program contact us 954-541-4062
or click here IBS Support Diet Plan - for IBS with Diarrhea – Joseph's Organic Bakery