The Hidden Connection: How Your Gut Health Affects Your Stress Levels

As the years go by, you've probably noticed that stress seems harder to manage than it used to be. What you might not realise is that the answer to better stress management could be sitting right in your gut.

Groundbreaking research is revealing fascinating connections between what we eat, our gut bacteria, and how we handle stress. At Healing Hands Natural Health Centre, our naturopaths and nutritionists are already using this cutting-edge science to help people like you feel more balanced and resilient.

The Science Behind Stress and Your Gut

Recent studies involving over 1,000 participants have shown that people with higher stress levels have significantly different gut bacteria patterns. Specifically, they have lower levels of beneficial bacteria like Lachnospira, which plays a crucial role in supporting mental wellbeing.

Even more interesting? The research identified specific foods that can boost these helpful bacteria and potentially reduce stress. Women who regularly ate tomatoes, green peppers, and fermented foods like natto showed better stress resilience and healthier gut bacteria profiles.

Why Dieting Might Be Making Things Worse

Here's something that might surprise you: traditional calorie-restriction dieting actually increases your stress hormone cortisol. This creates a vicious cycle where dieting leads to higher stress, which then triggers cravings for exactly the foods you're trying to avoid.

One study found that simply tracking calories increased perceived stress levels, while restricting calories raised cortisol production. For women already dealing with hormonal changes and life stresses, this explains why so many diets fail and leave you feeling worse than when you started.

The Diabetes-Stress-Food Connection

For women managing blood sugar issues or Type 2 diabetes, this gut-stress connection becomes even more important. Research shows that poor blood glucose control disrupts your stress response system, leading to increased cravings for low-quality foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats. This creates another destructive cycle that traditional approaches often miss.

How Naturopaths and Nutritionists Can Help

This is where the expertise of qualified naturopaths and nutritionists becomes invaluable. Unlike one-size-fits-all diet programs, our practitioners at Healing Hands understand that your stress levels, gut health, and food choices are all interconnected.

Our Naturopaths (Rachel and Cecelia) take a holistic view of your health, considering how stress, hormones, sleep, and digestion all influence each other. They can recommend specific supplements and herbal medicines to support your gut bacteria and stress response naturally.

Our Nutritionists (Emily, Kelly and Sarah) who all specialise in the Metabolic Balance program, create personalised eating plans that work with your body's natural rhythms rather than against them. Instead of restrictive dieting that increases stress, they focus on nourishing foods that support both your gut bacteria and mental wellbeing. They can also recommend specific supplements that may support you to feel less stressed.

Your Next Step

The research is clear: managing stress effectively requires addressing your gut health and nutrition together. But you don't have to navigate this complex relationship alone.

If you're ready to break free from the stress-diet cycle and discover how proper nutrition can transform your wellbeing, book a discovery call with Emily today. She'll help you understand how our naturopaths and nutritionists can create a personalized approach that addresses your unique needs.

Visit our website to learn more about our services or book your initial consultation. Your journey to better stress management and optimal health starts with understanding the powerful connection between your gut and your mind.

Ready to take the first step? Book your discovery call with Emily and discover how naturopathy and nutrition can help you manage stress naturally.

Berding, K., Vlckova, K., Marx, W., Schellekens, H., Stanton, C., Clarke, G., Jacka, F., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2021). Diet and the microbiota-gut-brain axis: Sowing the seeds of good mental health. Advances in Nutrition, 12(4), 1239–1285. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmaa181

Duong, M., Cohen, J. I., & Convit, A. (2012). High cortisol levels are associated with low quality food choice in type 2 diabetes. Endocrine, 41(1), 76–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-011-9527-5

Sasaki, H., Masutomi, H., & Ishihara, K. (2025). The intake of pulses and vegetables is associated with an increase in the Lachnospira abundance and a decrease in stress: Analysis of the ‘Sukoyaka Health Survey’. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 68, 530–547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.05.048

Tomiyama, A. J., Mann, T., Vinas, D., Hunger, J. M., Dejager, J., & Taylor, S. E. (2010). Low calorie dieting increases cortisol. Psychosomatic Medicine, 72(4), 357–364. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181d9523c