I never took my gut health seriously—until the day I turned 30
“The human body is incredibly resilient, but it remembers what you did to it in your 20s and now seeks revenge in your 30s.” A forgotten blurb of Internet wisdom, once bouncing aimlessly across my long-term memory servers, now crosses my mind as I lean over the sink, feeling completely exhausted after the fourth my body’s attempt to regurgitate its contents. Unprompted, the thought of yesterday’s late-night biryani session arises and the bile begins to stir again. Happy 30th birthday, my brain chants sullenly.
Having spent my entire life feeding my body all kinds of junk food at ungodly hours of the night, it’s hard not to feel personally offended by this sudden rebellion. Research promised me that I would reach my cognitive peak in my 30s, unlocking previously undetected levels of contentment and making more meaningful connections. But instead of embarking on a new career as a chess grandmaster, all my strategic and problem-solving energies are devoted to finding the quickest route to the sink after wolfing down a sizzling plate of post-game fried chicken. to sleep.
How gut health changes in your 30s
When I recount my woes to Dr Mangesh Keshavrao Borkar, gastroenterologist at Manipal Hospital, he does not remain surprised. “Gut health changes significantly as the body enters its 30s due to metabolic changes, hormonal fluctuations, and lifestyle factors,” he shares. For starters, the digestive system begins to slow down, affecting the efficiency of nutrient absorption. With reduced production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, it becomes more difficult to break down certain foods, like dairy and high-fat meals.
“Many people who previously had a higher threshold for consuming processed foods, caffeine and alcohol now have an increased sensitivity to these substances,” he warns. The result? Bloating and irregular bowel movements become unwanted long-term residents as the intestinal lining becomes more vulnerable to inflammation.
The specter of sexual discrimination spares no one, not even intestinal problems. Clinical dietitian Ridhima Khamesra believes such problems can have a greater impact on women than men. “In general, we know that women produce less hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. This affects the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients,” she explains.
How to manage gut health changes in your 30s
Although these changes are news to me, the memo has apparently already circulated among my friends in their 30s. When my husband and I visit another couple in our social circle, we find their console filled with bottles for an herbal intestinal cleanse. Another cousin is glued to a three-hour missive on gut health with the intensity we once reserved for Blair and Chuck cliffhangers.
