Menu

Gut Health Is More Important Than You Might Think: Here’s Why.

The human body is a prime example of what it means to be pragmatic. Almost every part of the human body is important and most of them hold an important function that is specific to them, and these parts all work together to form a single, functional human being. However, it’s also true that while most parts are deemed essential for a person to be able to live a full life, we do indeed favor some parts over others.

But you’d be surprised at what the stomach does for the body. While it’s function may not be perceivable from the outside, it’s more important to our health than most of us believe it to be. These are a few reasons why you have to take better care of your gut.

1. It Is a Building Block For Your Health and Fitness

Featured on BlackDoctor

The gut serves as the primary method through which nutrients and water are absorbed by the body. This process of absorption is what allows the body to function and grow. This is evident in how the growth of a child is significantly influenced by the amount and quality of the nutrition that the child is able to get during the early stages of growth, particularly from early childhood up until the child is fully physiologically mature.

2. Primary Disease Countermeasure

Apart from functioning as the main method of absorbing nutrients, the gut also functions as one of the first lines of defense against disease. The stomach has acid and enzymes that help sterilize the food that we eat. The small intestine also has large oval clusters called Peyer’s patches that monitor the lining of the gut for any threats. When a threat is detected, these clusters produce antibodies that destroy any foreign bacteria and any histamines.

The stomach is also home to a very diverse collection of bacteria that help destroy harmful bacteria before they can cause any real damage to the body.

3. It Serves As Storage For Food We Cannot Immediately Digest

Sometimes we end up eating more than our stomachs can digest. Rather than vomiting the excess food, our stomach expands in order to create space for the food that we cannot digest right away. This allows the body to continue processing the nutrients even after the food has long been eaten. Fatty food typically takes longer to digest than other food types.

4. What Happens When We Neglect Our Gut?

There are a multitude of stomach issues that can arise if the gut isn’t taken care of. Stomach issues such as stomach pain, stomach cramps, ulcers, and GERD are fairly common. Others, such as stomach cancer and silent reflux are more dangerous diseases. A stomach that cannot function properly greatly impairs the body’s ability to absorb nutrition, which is not only essential for the body to be able to heal itself, but it also impedes the body’s ability to stay healthy.

The approach to health should be taken holistically. No single body part should be neglected, and no single body part should be excessively favored over the others. As a general rule, you have to eat right and get enough rest and exercise in order to ensure that your body stays in good condition.

SHARE
Related Stories
Answer the question below

Gout Survey

People with gout often have sudden, painful flares of joint swelling and redness. How many gout flares have you experienced in the last 12 months?
Have you ever received intravenous medicine for your gout?

Get our Weekly Newsletter

Stay informed on the latest breakthroughs in family health and wellness. Sign up today!

By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.

More from BlackDoctor

Where Culture Meets Care

BlackDoctor is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically for the Black community. BlackDoctor understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BlackDoctor gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.
✦ AI Search Disclaimer
This AI-powered search tool helps you find relevant health articles from the BlackDoctor.org archive. Please keep the following in mind:
✦ For Informational Purposes Only
The information provided through this AI search is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
✦ Always Consult a Healthcare Provider
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read through this search tool. If you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
✦ AI Limitations
This search tool uses artificial intelligence to help match your queries with articles in our archive. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated results may occasionally be incomplete, outdated, or not fully relevant to your specific situation.
✦ No Doctor-Patient Relationship
Using this search tool does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and BlackDoctor.org or any healthcare provider.
Explore over 35,000 articles and videos across black health, wellness, lifestyle and culture
Full AI Search Experience >
×

Download PDF

Enter your name and email to receive the download link.

BlackDoctor AI Search