'Gut health gurus' reveal secrets behind nation's tummy troubles in podcast

As Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month approaches in April, a Bourne End health expert sheds light on the secrets to a healthy gut through a podcast. 

Evie Whitehead, a nutritionist with more than a decade of experience, was asked by ITN to lead the 10-episode Listen to Your Gut podcast which launched earlier this year. 

Complimented by a line-up of ‘gut health gurus’, Evie’s podcast delves into the causes of the nation’s tummy problems.

“There were loads of penny drop moments,” Evie, 53, told the Advertiser.

NHS data estimates around 20 per cent of the UK population - 13 million people – live with IBS: a digestive disorder causing debilitating stomach cramps and fatigue.

The condition can be lifelong but, as Evie’s podcast reveals, some sufferers may find relief through simple dietary and lifestyle tweaks to help alleviate symptoms.

One of Evie’s guests, Coeliac disease expert Dr Allessio Fasano, pulled back the curtain on one of the key challenges.

Coeliac disease is a digestive disorder triggered by eating gluten.

Evie said: “It was fascinating to talk to him because - really the upshot of everything, all of his learning - he was saying we’re just destroying our gut microbiome and the missing ingredient is fibre.”

High-quality sources of fibre are found in fruits, vegetables and seeds.

Evie continued: “Then to listen to all the other experts, if I could wrap up everything they’ve said it’s that fibre is a big problem – we’re missing a trick.”

Across the 10 episodes of Listen to Your Gut, Evie explores issues from how ultra-processed foods are fuelling a health crisis to the enormous impact sleep and stress have on our lives.

Evie was asked by ITN – producers of ITV – to host the podcast after a brief conversation over social media site LinkedIn.

“It came out of the blue,” Evie said. “I feel very fortunate to have been able to have done this podcast because to interview some amazing guests that I got to pick.”

“All my gut health gurus and heroes; luckily they all said yes.”

Other guests include Caroline Bramwell, a triathlete living with bowel disease Ulcerative Colitis, and clinical neuroscientist Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas.

There is also an emphasis on getting expert diagnosis, as opposed to trying to self-treat stomach problems.

“There’s a lot of rubbish out there on Google; a terrifying amount of health misinformation,” Evie said.

“We all do that when we don’t know what’s wrong with us - trying all these different things - but they’re the people that are in the worse shape when they come to me; trying to navigate that all on their own.

“That’s really the key message: if you’ve got any gut problems or you’re worried about bloating, acid reflux or indigestion - any tummy trouble - it is a clue that something’s not quite right.

“You don’t have to settle and actually, sometimes it can be a lot more simple than you might think.”

Listen to Your Gut is available on Spotify, Amazon Music and Evie’s website.