What's going on in your stomach reflects the state of your general health. If your gut isn't working properly, it can affect the level of nutrients in your body.
Stress, poor diet and unhealthy lifestyles are all contributing to a rise in stomach disorders, from constipation, diarrhoea and bloating to IBS, coeliac and Crohn's disease. Plus, cases of bowel cancer have increased in the UK since the 1970s – it's now the second-biggest cancer killer, with over 41,500 people diagnosed and 16,000 dying every year.
‘A healthy digestive system is the basis for your overall health,' says Dr Simon Gabe, Consultant Gastroenterologist at St Mark's Hospital in London. ‘Keep it functioning well with healthy food, regular exercise and a good work/life balance.'
1 Eat more fibre
It adds bulk to…