Causes of Leaky Gut: 7 Common Triggers That Could Be Damaging Your Digestive Health

Discover the causes of leaky gut and how they disrupt digestion. In discussions about intestinal health, seven common triggers stand out as major drivers of increased permeability. The causes of leaky gut are often interconnected, but recognizing them helps you take targeted steps to protect digestion. These triggers include: a diet rich in ultra-processed foods and added sugars; chronic stress and poor sleep; frequent use of medications such as antibiotics and NSAIDs; gut infections or pathogens; regular alcohol use and exposure to environmental toxins; autoimmune or inflammatory conditions; and gut dysbiosis. When these factors overwhelm the gut, tight junctions loosen, mucus barriers thin, and inflammation can rise, leading to symptoms like bloating, irregular stools, or nutrient malabsorption. Practical, science-backed steps can reduce the impact of these causes of leaky gut. Start with a gut-friendly diet rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, plus fermented foods to support beneficial bacteria. Minimize ultra-processed foods and added sugars that feed imbalanced microbiomes. Protect your gut barrier by limiting unnecessary NSAIDs and antibiotics, and discuss alternatives with your healthcare provider. Manage stress through regular movement, mindfulness, and adequate sleep; these changes also support healthier digestion. Finally, reduce toxin exposure where possible, stay hydrated, and consider testing to understand your unique gut profile and dietary needs. Tech-forward gut health platforms like InnerBuddies provide a practical way to measure and improve the factors behind these causes of leaky gut. InnerBuddies offers a white-label Gut Health Operating System to power your own gut microbiome testing products, with a modular architecture and data that adapts to your audience. Core features include a Gut Microbiome Health Index (0-100), developed under an exclusive IP deal with EAFIT University in Colombia, plus detailed Bacteria Abundances and Bacteria Functions that show how you compare to a healthy cohort. The system also includes Target Group Analysis for topics such as Healthy Aging, Endurance Sport, and Skin & Hair Health, plus Personalised nutrition advice and personalised probiotics and prebiotics recommendations based on your unique microbiome and diet data. InnerBuddies microbiome test helps consumers and partners quantify gut health and track improvements over time. For individuals ready to take action, InnerBuddies also offers consumer-ready solutions like a gut health membership and direct access to microbiome insights. Learn more about how a subscription can support ongoing gut health with ongoing personalized guidance at InnerBuddies Gut Health Membership. If you’re a company looking to build or expand your own gut testing offering, the InnerBuddies B2B program is designed for partners, with the same core capabilities: Become a Partner. All of these options leverage the same science-backed platform to help people understand the causes of leaky gut and protect digestion.