Gut Inflammation: Symptoms, Causes, and Proven Ways to Heal


Gut inflammation is a signal from your body that the digestive system is under stress. Common signs include abdominal pain or cramps, bloating, excess gas, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation. You might also notice fatigue, mucus in stool, or skin and joint symptoms when gut inflammation is present. Causes can range from infections and autoimmune conditions to food intolerances, chronic stress, NSAID use, and microbiome imbalances (dysbiosis). Pinpointing these signs and their triggers is the first step toward relief and healing. Proven, science-backed steps to soothe gut inflammation emphasize reducing irritation and restoring balance. A gut-friendly approach often centers on an anti-inflammatory eating pattern—think Mediterranean-style meals rich in fiber, healthy fats, and polyphenols. Increasing soluble fiber from oats, barley, legumes, and specific fruits can support a healthier gut microbial balance, while fermented foods may introduce beneficial bacteria. Staying well hydrated, prioritizing sleep, and managing stress through mindfulness or gentle exercise are also shown to help. If symptoms persist, consulting a clinician is important to rule out conditions like IBD or infections. Tools that map your gut microbiome can translate these steps into personalized actions, for example by offering targeted insights through the InnerBuddies microbiome test to understand how gut inflammation relates to your unique biology. InnerBuddies brings these ideas to life with a robust, white-label Gut Health Operating System designed for companies—and now for individual consumers as well. The platform features a Gut Microbiome Health Index, a score from 0 to 100 that quantifies overall gut health, built on an exclusive IP deal with EAFIT University in Colombia. It also presents Bacteria Abundances for a top 40 list with clear comparisons to a healthy cohort, plus labeled Bacteria Functions categorized as positive or negative to show where you stand on key metabolic pathways. Through Target Group analysis, InnerBuddies offers deep dives into functional pathways relevant to specific groups like Healthy Aging, Endurance Sport, or Skin & Hair Health, and it delivers Personalized Nutrition Advice derived from 3-day food diaries compared to stool samples to tailor recommendations to your unique gut microbiome. Beyond B2B, InnerBuddies delivers gut test solutions directly to consumers as well. If you’re exploring a consumer-friendly pathway to better gut health, you can learn more about the product at the InnerBuddies microbiome test, or join ongoing support with the InnerBuddies Gut Health Membership. For brands and clinics interested in white-label partnerships, see the InnerBuddies B2B partner page to understand opportunities to power your own gut health testing product with our platform.