One dodgy street taco in San Cristobal Mexico ended my backpacking adventure & gifted me a digestive disorder known as post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome.

Of course there were some underlying factors that made me a sitting duck for some bad intentioned bacteria to take hold. A good decade or two of a processed food diet, and countless rounds of antibiotics in my child & teen years resulted in chronic digestive troubles and one sad gut microbiome.

11% of the global population is affected by the ride that is irritable bowel syndrome[1]. If you’re a fellow IBS sufferer you know that the management of this condition can really kill your vibe sometimes.

Ask anyone with a digestive disorder and they’ve likely experienced some dread with upcoming travel. The switch up in your routine and environment can impact your sleep, digestion and nutrition. Travelling may also have you relying on convenience foods which tend to be heavily processed and lack health supporting nutrients like fiber. Most of us are also drinking more alcohol, and tend to overeat while on vacation. If your travels span over 1 or more time zones your circadian rhythm or internal body clock will also be affected.

All of these factors can negatively affect your gut microbiome [2], [3]  & may leave you feeling less than optimal on your next trip.

Research in this field indicates that the gut microbiome is home to 3 pounds of micro-organisms that influence our immunity, hormones, metabolism, digestion, mood, cognitive function & even the expression of our genes [4], [5].

Needless to say, if you are looking to optimize your health for any upcoming travel you will want to start with your gut. Consider these 5 simple, science-backed ways to optimize your gut health so you can live your best life on your next trip.