Harvard, Stanford trained gastroenterologist says avoid ‘daily fasting with no structure’; rates 20 gut health trends

By Admin

13 Aug, 2025

In the age of Instagram wellness tips and viral diet hacks, gut health has become a trending topic   but not all advice is created equal. To help separate fact from fiction, Dr Saurabh Sethi, MD, MPH   a board-certified gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and interventional endoscopist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford   recently shared his expert take on 20 popular gut health trends. His verdict? Some habits can support your digestive system, while others may do more harm than good.

10 Gut Health Trends Reviewed (August 11 Post)
In his latest Instagram post, Dr Sethi cautioned against certain practices while endorsing others that can genuinely benefit your gut. Here’s his breakdown:

• Daily fasting with no structure – Skip
  
  

• Turmeric, ginger, and fennel for digestion – Add
  
  

• Natural herbs in meals – Add
  
  

• Cabbage soup diet – Skip
  
  

• Listening to your body cues – Add
  
  

• Alkaline water resets your gut – Skip
  
  

• Raw eggs for gut lining – Skip
  
  

• Food diversity equals gut strength – Definitely add
  
  

• Never eating legumes – Skip
  
  

• Flax or chia seeds – Add
  
  

10 More Gut Health Trends Reviewed (August 10 Post)
Dr Sethi had earlier reviewed another set of trends, giving the thumbs-up to mindful habits and warning against risky or ineffective ones:

• Avoiding distracted eating – Add
  
  

• Apple cider vinegar shots straight – Skip
  
  

• Fennel seeds after meals – Add
  
  

• Green tea or matcha – Add
  
  

• Hydration with plain water – Add
  
  

• Cutting nightshades with no reason – Skip
  
  

• Mindful eating habits – Add
  
  

• Coffee enema for gut healing – Skip
  
  

• Daily enemas for detox – Skip
  
  

• Probiotic gummies fix everything – Skip
  
  

Morning Habits for a Healthy Gut
In a separate post on August 8, Dr Sethi shared his top morning tips to support gut health:

• Start with warm water before coffee to stimulate digestion.
  
  

• Get morning sun exposure to support overall wellness.
  
  

• Consider psyllium if you’re constipated.
  
  

• Do a daily ‘poop check’ to monitor bowel health.
  
  

Key Takeaway
Dr Sethi’s advice is clear   structure and balance matter far more than fad diets or extreme cleanses. Incorporating diverse, nutrient-rich foods, listening to your body, staying hydrated, and practising mindful eating can go a long way in maintaining a healthy gut. And when in doubt, skip the trendy shortcuts and stick with scientifically backed habits.