FROM BELLY TO BRAIN: WHY WOMEN MUST WATCH THEIR GUT HEALTH

Let me share a warning that hit home. Regular use of antacids is a big red flag,” said celebrity nutritionist Kavita Devgan at a recent wellness event organized by The Mind Diaries (a magazine on mental health). “Within no time, it will move from belly to brain and cause minor to major mental health issues.”

- NAMRATA KOHLI

That line stayed with me. Because how often do we pop an antacid without a second thought — after a heavy meal, a stressful day, or a late-night binge? What seems like a harmless quick fix can quietly throw your entire system off balance. When your gut bacteria go haywire, your mood, hormones, and even mental health start to feel the ripple effect. “Every other person I meet today has bloating, flatulence, constipation. Only the degree varies and to what extent they are suffering,” Devgan added. “It’s become normalized, but it shouldn't be.”

WHY GUT HEALTH MATTERS MORE TO WOMEN

For women, gut health isn’t just about digestion — it's about hormones, emotions, and even reproduction. The gut hosts trillions of bacteria that influence everything from metabolism to mood. An imbalance in this ecosystem, called dysbiosis, can disrupt estrogen metabolism, leading to PMS, irregular periods, or hormonal swings.

Research shows women are more prone to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and altered gut microbiomes are linked with PCOS, endometriosis, and recurrent infections. The gut-brain connection is equally crucial — since gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, any imbalance here can trigger anxiety, depression, or brain fog.