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Writer's pictureKayla Wu

The Gut-Brain Connection: How Gastroenterology Influences Emotions



How does Gastroenterology affect your emotions?

Your emotions are often affected by your gastrointestinal function. Whether you’re feeling nervous, happy, or depressed it’s all linked to what you have eaten today and your stomach’s digestion. “The gastrointestinal (GI) system is an ideal model to analyze the interaction between our genes, emotions, and the gut microbiota” (Panduro et al.). The gastrointestinal can affect our emotions through the macrobiotic inside which goes into our blood and brain. “Gut microbes produce neurotransmitters, hormones, and metabolites that can affect our emotions, thought processes, and behaviors” (Shetty). Our stomach is just like a second brain to our body, it gives signals to our brain and our brain will generate emotions through what you have eaten.


The importance of what we have eaten.

What you eat can affect your emotions. Our guts produce neurotransmitters, which affect the hormones that are produced. “The fiber in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains slows down digestion and gives us a longer-lasting energy source, fiber feeds our healthy bacteria, which can be linked to improving our mood” (Nebraska Medicine). Eating things like high fiber, protein, foods, and omega-3 fatty acids foods can boost your self-confidence and the feelings you have for the day. However, anything with high fat, sugar, or salt will not improve your emotions of the day but will temporary happiness and it will affect your physical health. 


Works Cited

Panduro, Arturo, et al. “Genes, Emotions and Gut Microbiota: The Next Frontier for the Gastroenterologist.” World Journal of Gastroenterology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 May 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5423040/.


Person. “Brain Food: What Foods Help with Mood?” Nebraska Medicine Omaha, NE, Nebraska Medicine, 5 Apr. 2024, www.nebraskamed.com/primary-care/brain-food-what-foods-help-with-mood#:~:text=Fiber%2Drich%20foods%20keep%20you,linked%20to%20improving%20our%20mood.%22.


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