Gut health

The Gut-Brain Axis: The Two-Way Conversation

The brain and the gut talk to each other continuously, in both directions. Explore the gut-brain axis with appropriate scientific care.

How Saliva Begins Digestion Before You Swallow

Digestion does not start in the stomach—it starts in the mouth. Explore the many roles of saliva and how it begins the work of digestion.

The Appendix Reconsidered: A Refuge for Gut Bacteria

Long dismissed as a useless leftover, the appendix may serve a real purpose. Explore the modern reconsideration of this small organ.

The Migrating Motor Complex: The Gut's Housekeeping Wave

Between meals, the gut runs a cleaning cycle. Explore the migrating motor complex, the housekeeping wave that sweeps the digestive tract.

Why Fiber Is the Master Nutrient for the Gut

Fiber does many jobs at once, from feeding microbes to adding bulk. Explore why fiber deserves to be called the master nutrient for gut health.

How the Microbiome Helps Digest What We Cannot

The human body cannot digest everything it eats—but its microbes can. Explore how the gut microbiome extends our digestive reach.

The Microbiome of Early Life: A Window That Shapes Health

The first years of life are when the gut microbiome is established. Explore early-life microbial development and why this window matters.

Bile: The Detergent That Makes Fat Digestible

Fat and water do not mix, which poses a problem for digestion. Explore bile, the body's detergent, and how it makes fat digestible.

The Gut Barrier: The Body's Most Tested Border

The gut lining must absorb nutrients while keeping threats out. Explore the gut barrier and the demanding balance it maintains.

How the Stomach Survives Its Own Acid

The stomach produces acid strong enough to damage tissue, yet it does not digest itself. Explore the elegant defenses of the stomach lining.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids: The Currency of the Gut

When gut bacteria ferment fiber, they produce powerful compounds that nourish and signal. Explore short-chain fatty acids and their role in health.

The Science of Fermentation: Preserving Food With Microbes

Fermentation turns perishable food into something stable, safe, and flavorful. Explore the microbial science behind one of humanity's oldest preservation methods.