Don’t Fall for These 4 Gut Health Myths

Myth #1: Daily Bowel Movements are a Must

69% of Americans believe you need to poop daily.¹ The real deal: healthy poops have a lot to do with consistency—not too hard, not too soft—and not just frequency.

The Bristol Stool Chart is often used to measure stool quality from 1-7

• Type 1-2 is considered constipation, as the poops are difficult to pass
• Type 3-4 is considered healthy, as they are easy to pass
• Type 5-7 is considered fast motility, resulting in watery stools

If your poop is “just right”, it’s a sign your gut is in balance. This means you have a healthy mix of bacteria and probiotics that support optimal transit time and reduced inflammation.²

Looking to get your stools on track? Try these bowel-balancing tips:

• Eat fiber-rich foods (aka fruits and veggies) to help move things along³
• Drink plenty of water to keep poops soft and easy to pass³
• Try a supplement with probiotics to support your gut microbiome, like OLLY Tropical Mango Probiotic gummies*

The bottom line:

Gut health is often shown in poop consistency, not just frequency.

Myth #2: Juice Cleanses are Good for Your Gut

Half of the American population are drawn to juice cleanses, either having tried, currently trying or wanting to try one.¹ This type of diet, which involves consuming only juices from vegetables and fruits, is often framed as a quick fix. Easy to follow that logic, right? How could lots of fruits and veggie juice not be good for you? The reality: gut health is complex and there isn’t a simple shortcut.

Your body already has a natural detox system, like your liver, kidneys and GI tract.⁴ Juice cleanses can lead to nutrient imbalances, and they tend to lack fiber which is key for a healthy gut.⁴ Another factor: it’s important to have a balance of good bacteria in the gut, which can get neglected without a balanced diet.

The bottom line:

Skip the cleanse and opt for a balanced diet that includes fruits and veggies.

Myth #3: Gut Health Issues Stay in Your Gut

Only about half of Americans are aware that poor sleep can be a sign of an unhealthy gut.¹ The importance of the gut/brain connection is something scientists are continuing to learn about, but we know that the two have a special relationship. And when the connection is out of whack, it can affect various aspects of our health.

Ways this shows up:

• The Vagus nerve connects the gut and brain, helping to manage stress—any gut issues can disrupt this⁵
• The gut produces chemicals sent to your brain that affect mood and emotions, like serotonin and GABA⁵
• The gut (which houses 70-80% of your immune system) protects mental health by preventing toxins from entering the bloodstream⁵

The bottom line:

Taking care of your gut goes way beyond the belly.

Myth #4: Supplements are a Quick Fix for a Healthy Gut

Gut health supplements aren’t a magical shortcut, but they’re like your BFF ready to support you along your health journey. The best approach: focus on building healthy daily habits for long-term results. For example, think of Probiotics like the new multivitamin—the thing everyone does every day without thinking too hard about it.

More ways to support your gut health on the daily:

• Manage stress with yoga, meditation and reflection⁶
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid overwhelming your gut⁶
• Try OLLY Probiotic + Prebiotic gut health gummies

The bottom line:

It’s all about bite-sized daily habits.