HEALTH: Help your Gut Health
One third of young brits suffer with constipation – but 1 in 5 never know the cause…
· A third (32%) of youngsters say they often suffer from constipation – and that’s despite seven in 10 (71%) saying they have a good immune system.
· This year alone, 39% of 18-34 year olds say they have been trying to eat a healthy and balanced diet, and walking more (36%).
· 86% of youngsters say maintaining a good gut health is important to them.
A third (32%) of youngsters across Britain say they suffer from constipation often, with one in five never knowing the cause of the problem, a study finds.
In fact, 18-34 year olds are visiting their GP for stomach problems more than any other age group in the UK. In the past three years alone, millennials have visited the doctors SIX times. This is despite a huge 86% claiming that a healthy gut is one of the most important things to them.
The new research, The Collective, who create Kefir cultured drinks and yoghurts, found that while seven in 10 (71%) youngsters feel their immune system is so good that it prevent illnesses, along with constipation a further third (31%) suffer from indigestion and diarrhoea (26%) more often than not.
While a quarter (25%) of 18-34 year olds are aware of the term ‘gut health’, 37% believe that probiotics are a quick and easy way to maintain good gut health. Along with this, 41% say that reducing stress can be a helpful factor, compared to only 16% who recognise the strength of fermented foods like kefir.
Lucy Gornall, Health & Fitness Editor at Woman & Home, said: “A healthy gut means I’m happy, relaxed and full of energy. I find that some many people are embarrassed or ashamed to talk about digestion and gut health but they really shouldn’t be!
“We’ve all become so keen on cutting out food groups, and taking the right supplements, that we’re missing out on one of the key drivers behind an unhappy gut…STRESS! Ever noticed how when you relax and take time out, you sometimes feel that urge to go, having previously been a bit blocked up?
Or, on the flip side, when you’re hard pressed to hit a deadline, and your stomach feels like a knot and your food doesn’t digest properly leaving you gassy? This is what stress does and I can totally vouch for including some stress-busting activities into your day.”
The research also proved that older is in fact wiser, with 71% of over 65s recognising the importance of hydration and high-fibre foods (70%) compared to just 44% and 40% of 18-34 year olds. This is being said, 40% of millennials have placed a lot more importance on their long-term health recently, compared to just 19% of over 65s.
