Coffe & Wine Contributes to Gut Health?

Coffee and Wine contributes to gut health – is it true?

The new studies are telling us it is true.

Time Magazine reported on April 29th, 2016 – “Next time you indulge in a glass of wine after work, you may be helping the diversity of bacteria in your gut. But, you may want to stay away from the sugar.”

AgeWell says: Wine is sugar, too.

UPI  reported on April 28th, 2016 – “The food you eat and the medicines you take can alter your gut bacteria in ways that either help or harm your health, two new studies suggest.”

AgeWell says: These outcomes of these studies are not new to gut bacteria/gut health.

Medical Daily April 29th, 2016 – “Scientists say that a diverse gut microbiome is a healthy one, and it turns out that your lifestyle plays a huge role in shaping that.”

AgeWell says: Again, nothing new… but, the statement ‘diverse gut microbiome is a healthy one’ is not exactly true – it depends on what the microbiome diversity is – bacteria are not all created equal.

Washington Post April 29th, 2016 – “Diversity is good for your gut — and red wine might help.”

AgeWell says: Diversity is unique to the individual – there is no one size fits all.

Science Daily reported on April 28th, 2016 – “Everything you eat or drink affects your intestinal bacteria, and is likely to have an impact on your health.”

AgeWell says: Yes, in general – but what affects me may not affect you in the same way.

Here is the headline from Healthy Day – Coffee, Wine Good for Healthy Gut, Sodas May Be Bad

The article opens with: “The food you eat and the medicines you take can alter your gut bacteria in ways that either help or harm your health, two new studies suggest.”

This statement is true to some degree.  Yes, everything you put in our mouth; food, beverages, medicines, and supplements impact your gut.  Whether that impact is positive or negative depends on your current individual biochemistry and your health status.  The point being, “one man’s food is another man’s poison.”  The same is true here – coffee and/or wine is one man’s beverage and another man’s poison.

For example, if you have low stomach acid, meaning you find yourself burping after a meal or have acid reflux/heartburn, both beverages are the wrong drink for you no matter the status of your gut health.

Then there is the statement: “sodas may be bad.” Is there any question?  We all know the answer.  Sodas are made from chemicals – there is not one real food listed in the ingredients.  Our bodies are not designed to digest, process and utilize fake foods.  Yes, they taste good and may give us a boost in energy from the sugar, but no real health benefit.

So, is it true?

It all depends – depends on you!

How do you know if Coffee or Wine is good for YOU?

Gut health is complex and there is not a one size fits all solution.  It requires getting to the root cause, not treating the symptoms.  Example: Treating heartburn with Tums.

It is best to work with a professional that specializes in gut health and approaches solving the problem from the big picture.  Someone that looks at your history, listens to your symptoms, reviews your lab work, and guides you through an elimination diet to identify what is causing your gut issues.

At AgeWellMD, Dr. Hope Engsberg approaches gut health from a whole person view.  She will look at the issue from several different angles to get to the root cause.