Lifestyle and Gut Health: How Your Daily Habits Affect Your Digestion

How Alcohol Affects the Gut

Drinking is a common social habit, but it’s easy to overlook its effects on your digestive system. Even moderate alcohol intake can alter the balance of gut bacteria, irritate the gut lining and disrupt normal digestive rhythms. In “Alcohol and Gut Health: What You Need to Know”, we explore how alcohol contributes to gut inflammation, increases permeability, and may worsen symptoms for people with IBS, food sensitivities or a weakened gut barrier. You’ll also find tips for choosing drinks that are lower in histamine and FODMAPs if you have known sensitivities.

Coffee, Motility and Microbiome

Coffee is a daily ritual for millions, yet it affects everyone’s gut differently. For some, it supports regular bowel movements; for others, it causes urgency or discomfort. In “Coffee and Gut Function: What You Need to Know”, we explain how caffeine stimulates the digestive tract and how coffee’s polyphenols and fibers may actually support beneficial gut bacteria. However, people with reflux, IBS or histamine intolerance may notice symptoms. The article offers practical tips for adjusting your coffee routine to better support your gut.

Supplements to Support Gut Health

Supplements are often used to ease digestive symptoms, fill nutritional gaps or restore microbial balance. But not every supplement is helpful or well tolerated. In “Supplements for Gut Complaints: What You Need to Know”, we break down the most commonly used products, including probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, fiber and vitamins. You’ll learn what each type does, who might benefit, and how to avoid triggering ingredients like high-FODMAP fibers or unnecessary additives. We also discuss when supplements may be useful and when lifestyle and diet changes should come first.

Why Lifestyle Matters for Gut Resilience

Your gut doesn’t work in isolation, it responds to your choices across the day. Alcohol, caffeine and supplements can either support or strain digestion depending on timing, dose, and individual sensitivities. Whether you’re trying to improve regularity, reduce inflammation, or ease food reactivity, small daily adjustments can have a lasting effect.
Use this page to navigate deeper into each lifestyle factor. Then, explore the rest of Bowelbook for related topics like FODMAPs, histamine, gluten, and ingredient-specific effects on digestion. Every gut is different, the more you understand your personal reactions, the better you can shape your lifestyle for digestive comfort and long-term health.