At Waku, it’s no secret that we value gut health -- I mean, it’s pretty much all we talk about! Keep in mind that gut health has been proven to have links to our immune system, our mental health, skin condition, our mood, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and endocrine disorders.

In a study conducted by Dr. E.M. Quigley, it was found that having a wide variety of good bacteria in the gut could enhance the way our immense system functions, combat obesity, and improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, along with other benefits! But what exactly does “good” gut health mean? How do you know if you have bad gut health? What foods should you avoid to maintain good gut health? Here are 7 signs you have an unhealthy gut:

• Accutane won’t help you now!

An unhealthy gut may be related to skin conditions like eczema. Imbalances in the gut can lead to the increased “leaking” of specific proteins inside the body. A “leaky” gut can irritate the skin, cause an inflammatory response, and eventually present as acne or eczema on the skin. 

• Wonky Weight

Gaining or losing weight without intentionally making changes in your diet or exercise habits can also be a sign of an unhealthy gut. These unintentional weight changes are caused by the body’s inability to regulate blood sugar, store fat, and absorb important nutrients. While weight gain can be caused by an insulin resistance, it can also be caused by the urge to engorge ourselves due to a lack of nutrient absorption. Weight loss can be caused by the small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), so it’s important to keep an eye out for unintentional weight changes. 

• Stomach problems are NOT a personality trait!

The most common sign of an unhealthy gut are stomach disturbances such as heartburn, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. A balanced and healthy gut will have less difficulty in digesting food and ridding the body of any waste. 

• Sugar Overload

We get it -- having a sweet tooth can cause temptations from time to time. Moderating how much sugar you intake is not necessarily a bad thing! A diet high in added sugars can decrease the amount of good bacteria in the gut -- it’s best to stay away from sodas packed full of unnecessary sugars and avoid processed foods. An imbalance of sugar in the gut can increase sugar cravings, damaging the gut even further. In fact, high amounts of refined sugars like high-fructose  corn syrup, actually increase inflammation in the body. 

• Picky Eater without a Choice

Food intolerance symptoms like gas, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bloating are the result of the inability to digest certain foods. A food intolerance is different from a food allergy, which is typically caused by our immune system’s reaction to a certain food. It is thought that food intolerances can be caused by a damaged gut, or poor quality of the bacteria in the gut. 

• Always Tired? You’ve Got a Bad Gut!

An unhealthy gut may contribute to poor sleep, insomnia, and in turn lead to chronic fatigue. A majority of the  body’s serotonin, the hormone that affects sleep and mood, is produced in the gut. A damaged gut can impair your ability to sleep throughout the night, and affect your body’s mood throughout the day! 

• Sick of… Yourself?

It is thought that an unhealthy gut can increase systemic inflammation and affect the way the immune system functions. Medical researchers constantly discover new evidence that shows there is a clear connection between the gut and our immune system. A damaged gut and immune system can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases, which can cause our body to attack itself rather than what’s actually harming it. 

How to fix your gut

Luckily for damaged guts everywhere, there are ways to improve your gut health! You should definitely try to get enough sleep (7-8 hours), eat slowly, stay hydrated, and consider adding more high-fiber foods (e.g. legumes, berries, and oats) to your diet. Collagen-boosting foods such as bone broth and mushrooms, as well as fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt, are good ways at positively impacting and repairing your gut. 

Sunrise on the inside

At Waku, we make it our mission to make having a healthy gut accessible, easy, and delicious. We use the purest all-natural ingredients in our blend of 20 different herbs and flowers and all natural sweeteners to bring our customers a perfect herbal, prebiotic-packed tea. 

You can really taste the fresh berries and basil in our Berries & Basil, or the floral rose and tart raspberry in our Raspberry Rose. 

There’s a reason why Waku is on the radar of the gut-health conscious. It’s the perfect blend of refreshing flavors and sustainable ingredients sourced from the Andes Mountains in Ecuador. Every bottle of Waku comes packed with all natural ingredients  for a happy and healthy gut. Pick up a bottle of Waku to give your body exactly what it needs -- you deserve it.