When most people think about gut health, they think about digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea.

While digestion is certainly important, your gut plays a much larger role in your overall health than many people realize.

Research continues to show that the health of your digestive system may influence everything from your immune system and inflammation levels to your energy, mood, metabolism, and overall well-being.

Many people finish a meal and immediately loosen their pants.

They assume feeling swollen, uncomfortable, or looking six months pregnant by the end of the day is simply part of life.

Because it happens frequently, they assume it's normal.