Our Blog
Support for Peptic Ulcers: Healing Diet Plans
Peptic ulcers, painful sores in the stomach lining or small intestine, can disrupt daily life if left unmanaged. While medical treatment is essential, a well-planned diet can significantly support healing and prevent discomfort. Here’s a guide to developing meal plans...
The Impact of Nigerian Street Food on Your Gut: Healthy or Harmful?
Nigerian street food is beloved for its bold flavours and convenience, but have you ever wondered how it affects your gut health? While some street foods offer nutritional benefits, others can disrupt your digestive system and harm your gut microbiome. Understanding...
Fasting and Gut Health: What Nigerians Should Know
Fasting is a common practice in Nigeria, often tied to religious observances like Ramadan or Lent, as well as cultural traditions. But did you know that fasting can also have significant benefits for your gut health? When done correctly, fasting gives your digestive...
How to Heal Your Gut After Antibiotics: A Nigerian Food Guide
Antibiotics are life-saving medications that fight harmful bacteria, but they can also disrupt the delicate balance of good bacteria in your gut. After a course of antibiotics, many people experience digestive issues like bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation...
Can Nigerian Foods Improve Your Mood?
Have you ever felt "butterflies" in your stomach when you're nervous or lost your appetite when you're stressed? That’s the gut-brain connection in action. Scientists have discovered that the gut and brain are closely linked through the gut-brain axis, a communication...
Gut Health and Immunity: How Nigerian Foods Can Boost Your Defence System
Did you know that over 70% of your immune system resides in your gut? A healthy gut doesn't just aid digestion—it plays a crucial role in protecting your body against infections and diseases. When your gut is in good shape, it can fend off harmful bacteria, viruses,...
Why Nigerian Children Need More Fibre for a Healthy Gut
The Growing Digestive Health Crisis Among Nigerian Children Many Nigerian children are consuming more processed foods, sugary drinks, and low-fibre meals, leading to an increase in digestive problems, constipation, and poor gut health. Why Fibre is Essential for...
Gut Health and Diabetes: What Nigerians Need to Know
The Link Between Gut Bacteria and Blood Sugar Recent studies show that gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. Poor gut health can increase the risk of developing diabetes by affecting how the body processes glucose. How...
How Climate Change Affects What We Eat
Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it affects food security, nutrition, and gut health. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and soil degradation influence food availability and quality, impacting the gut microbiome. Food Scarcity and Gut...
How Medications Disrupt Your Gut Microbiome
Antibiotics and common over-the-counter drugs, while essential for treating infections and managing health conditions, can have unintended consequences on gut health. The gut is home to trillions of bacteria that play a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and even...
The Science Behind Constipation and How to Prevent It Naturally
Constipation is a common digestive issue that affects millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort, bloating, and irregular bowel movements. In Nigeria, the shift towards processed foods and low-fibre diets has made constipation increasingly prevalent. However,...
Modern Diets and the Gut Health Crisis in Nigeria
Nigeria’s food culture has shifted drastically in recent years, with fast food, processed meals, and sugar-laden drinks becoming more common. While these foods offer convenience, they often lack essential fibre, probiotics, and nutrients needed for good digestion. The...
The Role of Traditional Nigerian Foods in Promoting Gut Health
For centuries, Nigerians have relied on local, natural foods for nourishment, yet few realize the profound impact these traditional meals have on gut health. From fermented porridges to fibre-rich staples, many of the foods our ancestors ate are packed with...
The Gut-Healing Power of Nigerian Herbs and Spices
photo by Kaboompics.com Nigerian cuisine is not just delicious—it is also packed with natural ingredients that support gut health. Many of the herbs and spices commonly used in traditional meals contain powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestion-boosting...
An Introduction to African Gut Health with a Nigerian Focus
Gut health is an essential part of overall well-being, influencing digestion, immunity, and even mental health. While the importance of gut health is recognized globally, discussions often center around Western diets and solutions. However, Africa, and particularly...
Myth Busting: Spicy and Acidic Foods and GI Health
When it comes to gastrointestinal (GI) health, spicy and acidic foods often carry an undeserved bad reputation. Many people believe these foods are the root cause of ulcers, acid reflux, and gastritis. But how much of this is fact, and how much is fiction? Let’s...
Understanding Gastrointestinal Disorders: Causes and Effects of Poor Dietary Practices
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a vital role in our overall health by digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. However, poor dietary practices can disrupt its delicate balance, leading to a range of gastrointestinal disorders. In this article,...
Why Gut Health Matters: The Key to Overall Well-Being
The gut is often referred to as the body’s “second brain,” and for a good reason. It plays a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and even mental health. Despite its significance, many people overlook the importance of gut health until...
Welcome to AboutGuts
Hello and welcome to AboutGuts! My name is Folasade Akinwumi, and I’m a food scientist with over 15 years of experience in both the industry and research. Throughout my career, I’ve been deeply passionate about understanding the intricate relationship between what we...