Three TikTok trends that may help your gut, according to your Care Team

There’s a lot of #guthealth experts online, but especially on GutTok, a growing TikTok community that shares tips for eating, drinking, and living in a way that fosters a healthy gut microbiome and provides relief for IBS. On one hand, it’s incredible to see TikTok users talking about their chronic conditions without fear of stigma and without shame, with a lot of users seeking health advice that they can’t get from a doctor regularly. On the other hand, we know that everyone’s condition is unique to their body and their lifestyle. so some recommendations may work better for relieving symptoms than others. 

Salvo Health Care Teams, which are always accessible via our messaging-based Salvo Health app, include a board-certified doctor, like Dr. Erin Hendriks, who has debunked and identified which of the latest gut health trends are actually helpful to your digestive system. 

These TikTok trends may help relieve your IBS or gastro symptoms 

‍#HealthyCocaCola

There’s nothing like a crisp Coca-Cola on a summer’s day, but it’s not exactly a secret that soda isn’t the healthiest beverage, especially if you have digestive issues. TikTok users recommend that instead of drinking a Coke, you opt for mixing water with a splash of balsamic vinegar. While we doubt that it tastes the real deal—or if this could be a joke—there are some health benefits to drinking “healthy Coca-Cola.”

“Balsamic vinegar is made from grapes, which are high in polyphenols and thought to have numerous health benefits such as improved circulation,” Dr. Erin Hendriks told NewBeauty.com. “Vinegar has also been shown in some studies to improve blood sugar levels and help avoid spikes that may happen with meals.” 

However, Dr. Hendriks also added that seltzer water could lead to bloating or other gastro symptoms, as not everyone’s system reacts the same to the sparkly beverage. If this drink doesn’t help you kick soda to the curb, it’s not worth drinking. 

“It’s important to have plenty of healthy options to stay hydrated and avoid added sugars. Regular soda is loaded with added sugars, which can contribute to weight gain, diabetes and systemic inflammation.”- Dr. Erin Hendriks for NewBeauty.com‍

#InternalShower 

Created by a celebrity nutritionist, Dr. Daryl Gioffre, the “Internal Shower” is described as a gut healing tonic, packed with fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Simply combine chia seeds, lemon juice, and some water to get things moving.

 Dr. Erin Hendriks was asked by The Every Girl  about how the “Internal Shower” could help relieve constipation. 

“Not only will the chia seeds start stimulating movement in the intestines as they move through, but the water will also aid in movement. For those who are constipated, this may help stimulate movement that releases stored stool, or what’s backed up in the colon, and help with regularity as the chia seeds continue to move through the entire GI tract.” Dr. Hendriks told The Every Girl, also adding that lemon juice, the third ingredient of the beverage, contains citric acid, which can stimulate the stomach to produce gastric acid to help digestion. 

Keep this tip in your back pocket if you ever need to kick your digestion into drive. ‍

#HotGirlWalk 

‍The newest spin-off of #hotgirlswithibs, #hotgirlwalk encourages you to get outside daily while at the same time, brings awareness to how common IBS really is for women worldwide. The benefits of daily exercise include better sleep, reduced stress, and anti-inflammation, all of which are helpful for those trying to manage their IBS symptoms. 

‍“If you have a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, like irritable bowel syndrome, exercise can be a great way to maintain overall health, encourage your gut muscles to behave more predictably, and help you digest better,” says Dr Hendriks for Well+Good when they were reporting on the Instagram trend. “The best kind of exercise for people with IBS is low-to-moderate level aerobic exercise that avoids any abrupt motions that could trigger symptoms.”

Dr. Hendriks also practices what they preach with daily walks and hikes close to her home with her dog. You can follow her on Twitter to go along with her on daily adventures.

While not every wellness recommendation on TikTok, and social media, works for everyone, there are some that could hold potential benefits for you. However, if you’re looking for personalized strategies to manage your specific symptoms, join Salvo Health, where you’ll receive a custom Care Plan from real doctors, based on the questions you answer regarding your symptoms.