Are you feeding your feelings?

Survey highlights strong link between

emotional well-being and digestive health

The results of a national survey, conducted by Danone, about Irish adults Digestive Health were unveiled at the Danone Science Series in Dublin revealed that 43% of Waterford adults claim that digestive discomfort affects them emotionally. At the event, entitled "What's Your Gut Feeling: Latest insights on Digestive Health" experts gathered to discuss digestive health in Ireland and the increasing interest around understanding the connection between the brain and the gut and how digestive health can affect emotions and emotional wellbeing. A high percentage of the "feel good" hormone serotonin is produced in the gut, so it's no surprise that attitudinal research from Danone has found that living with regular but mild tummy problems is having a huge impact on people's emotional, social and physical health.

Dietician Paula Mee presented the results of the survey which highlighted that the majority of Irish adults suffer from some digestive health issues and 35% of those in Waterford surveyed suffer from digestive discomfort more than once a week, with 39% of the overall Irish population suffering more than once a week. 43% of those in Waterford surveyed believed that digestive discomfort affects them emotionally, causing them to be in a bad mood, self-conscious and not comfortable in their own skin.

Speaking at the event, Dietician Paula Mee said: "The findings of the Danone Digestive Health Survey are very interesting and show that people are aware of the impact of stress and emotional issues on their physical health. What we are clearly seeing is that people are experiencing a significant amount of digestive discomfort and where in many cases the triggers are physical, such as over-eating, we see there are a number of emotional triggers which also that are causing the same symptoms".

Jill McCarron, Director of Health Affairs, Danone said: "The results of the survey show that Irish people are continuing to suffer from digestive discomfort on a regular basis. Although the survey highlights that people are aware of the impact of their digestive health on their overall health, when compared to other aspects of their health, digestion actually factors fairly low on people's radar. However its importance for our overall wellbeing and quality of life shouldn't be underestimated".

The WGO, a federation of more than 100 national societies representing over 50,000 practitioners around the world, has just launched worldwide campaign called 'Love Your Tummy'. The campaign, supported by Danone, aims to encourage people to improve their digestive wellbeing and to stop accepting digestive discomfort such as bloating, constipation and excessive flatulence as normal. The first stage of the campaign includes the launch of a unique new test called Tummy Types, to help people understand their digestive discomfort so they can begin to take positive steps towards improving it. The test can be taken online at http://www.loveyourtummy.org where visitors will find top tips and easy to follow advice for their individual Tummy Type.

Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of digestive discomfort are bloating, constipation and flatulence. The good news however is that for many people, their digestive discomfort can be improved through simple diet and lifestyle changes which are available on http://www.loveyourtummy.org

For more information please contact Fionnuala Kavanagh (087 6527816) or Claire McGovern at Q4PR on 01 475 1444