Gut health is now a top wellness priority for many, thanks to a growing body of research which suggests the state of your gut influences everything from your mood to sleep quality.
“Gut health is about much more than whether you’re bloated or how often you go to the toilet,” says Dr Megan Rossi, dietitian, author, gut health scientist and founder of The Gut Health Doctor. “The gut interacts extensively with the immune system, metabolism and the gut–brain axis.” A healthy gut even produces more mood-regulating microbes such as serotonin (95 per cent of which is made in the stomach).
“In an ideal world, a healthy gut is one that you don’t have to think about too much,” says Rossi. “You’re generally free from troublesome digestive symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain or reflux – as a rough guide, experiencing these less than once a month.”
Nick Kyrgios banned from tennis after positive cocaine test
Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine.
The Australian submitted a sample during the Mallorca Open on 22 June that was later found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
What you need to know
- Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended since 4 August.
- The International Tennis Integrity Agency said Kyrgios could appeal against the provisional suspension “but has not done so to date”.
- In a post on Instagram, Kyrgios said he made “a huge mistake” and takes “full responsibility” for it.
What the suspension means
Kyrgios cannot play, coach at or attend Grand Slams or any events sanctioned by the men’s and women’s tennis tours.
The 31-year-old has played just four singles matches this season, having struggled with injuries. He last played in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon, where he lost in the first round.
Years of injuries take toll
My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do. Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined. None of that excuses what I did.”
said in a written statement
Ikea is set to launch its own second-hand selling site later this year, which will allow shoppers signed up to its membership to buy and sell pre-owned Ikea items locally.
Already trialled in other countries
The scheme follows trials of online second-hand marketplaces in Spain and Norway.
It also comes five years after the world’s biggest furniture retailer began buying and selling used Ikea items in some of its UK stores.
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Perks for users
- On the Spanish version, selling is made easier with price suggestions given by Ikea and pre-filled product descriptions.
- Ikea also offers sellers 15 per cent extra on the price of the item if they agree to be paid with an Ikea gift card.
- A similar system to Vinted of paying a 5 per cent “protection fee” is being implemented in Spain from January next year to fund various costs related to the sale.
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The mispronounced words Britons struggle with the most
The most commonly mangled words in the UK have been revealed in a new survey, as well as our attitudes surrounding pronunciation.
Here is everything you need to know.
What you need to know
OnePoll has conducted a survey on the most commonly mispronounced words in the UK.
The research was commissioned by Czech car manufacturer Skoda to highlight the fact that many Britons pronounce the brand’s name wrong – “S-co-der” instead of the correct “Sh-co-da”.
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Mispronounced words – and the correct pronunciations
- 1Acai: Ah-sigh-ee
- 2Segue: Segway
- 3Charcuterie: Shar-koo-tuh-ree
- 4Quinoa: Keen-wa
Mispronounced words – and the correct pronunciations
- 5 Gnocchi: Nyock-kee
- 6 Worcestershire: Wus-ter-sher
- 7 Chipotle: Chi-poht-lay
A closer look at the survey
The survey also revealed how Britons feel about mispronounced words.
- 85 per cent of respondents had someone correct them after a mispronunciation, with 25 per cent feeling embarrassed afterwards.
- 27 per cent admitted they continued using the wrong pronunciation anyway.
- 52 per cent thought it shows respect for language, while 38 per cent thought it made them appear more knowledgeable.
- 34 per cent thought it made them seem more professional.
- 38 per cent said that the way someone pronounces words could affect the impression they have of them.
How worried should you be about UK salmonella outbreak
One person has died and more than 200 have fallen ill amid a UK-wide salmonella outbreak, with health officials linking the cases to the consumption of imported eggs.
Source being investigated
The patients affected appear to have eaten the contaminated eggs in restaurants and cafes, not at home. Those affected include babies and people as old as 90.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has ruled out UK-produced eggs or poultry as the source and said the evidence suggests imported eggs are responsible.
Where have the cases been?
Most cases have been in England, including 47 in London and 38 in Yorkshire and the Humber. There have been six cases in Scotland, one in Wales and another in Northern Ireland.
Officials have found that all of the cases are linked to a single strain of salmonella.
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How worried should you be?
- More than a third of those affected have needed hospital care – however, most people get better without treatment.
- Salmonella generally causes a mild illness, though vulnerable people may experience severe illness.
- There are simple steps to prevent the spread of salmonella, including washing your hands after using the bathroom and before handling food.
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What are the symptoms?
- Hannah Charles, the UKHSA’s lead epidemiologist for gastrointestinal infections said: “Symptoms of a salmonella infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and sometimes vomiting and fever.
- “Anyone who is concerned about symptoms should contact their GP or out-of-hours service in the first instance.”
- To prevent the spread, she advised: “Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before preparing and handling food, cook food thoroughly.
- “If you have any symptoms, avoid handling food for others where possible.”.
How the UK’s child ADHD diagnosis rates compare to the rest of the world
The former president of the Royal College of General Practitioners has said she would “ban the label ADHD” and that it should be treated as a “social construct” instead of a neurodevelopmental condition.
What is the situation?
Speaking to ahead of the Channel 4 documentary The Great ADHD Myth?, Dr Iona Heath criticised overdiagnosis and argued there is no scientific evidence that those diagnosed have neurological differences.
Earlier this year, then-health secretary Wes Streeting said there was an “overdiagnosis” problem and launched a review.
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What does the UK data reveal?
- and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) put the UK rate of childhood ADHD at 5 per cent, and 3 to 4 per cent for adults.
- One study found ADHD diagnoses increased in the UK from 2000 to 2018.
- By 2018, the highest rates were in boys aged 10 to 16 – 3.5 per cent had been diagnosed. Back in 2000, this number was 1.4 per cent.
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How we compare with other countries
In the US, 11.4 per cent of children aged three to 17 years old were diagnosed with ADHD in 2024. In Europe, a 2023 French study indicated 3.68 per cent of children (800,000) have ADHD compared with 5.5 per cent of adults (1.4 million).
Meanwhile, in Spain, estimates of ADHD prevalence in children range from 5.5 per cent to 6.8 per cent.
A closer look at the review
The ongoing Government review is led by Professor Peter Fonagy, national clinical adviser on children’s mental health.
An interim report, published in March this year, identified rising diagnosis rates as an issue alongside people with ADHD and autism failing to get the support they need.
The final report is set to focus on how to make more support available that is “less dependent on diagnostic thresholds” and “more responsive to functional need”.
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Why better sleep could keep people working for longer
Researchers in Finland examined data from people aged between 50 and 68 to look at the correlation between sleeping habits and the ability to continue working.
The story in numbers
13 years, five months
Regularly disturbed sleep was linked to leaving the workforce months early.
People who reported no disturbances had a working life expectancy of 13 years and five months.
Six years, five months
The shortest working life expectancy was found among men in routine jobs with low levels of education who slept for more than nine hours a night.
They had an average of six years and five months left in work after the age of 50.
What does this tell us?
Researchers said the findings, published in the journal , suggest healthy sleep (under seven hours but undisturbed) may help people keep working as they age.
“To promote older adults’ participation in working life, supporting sleep of recommended length and good quality may be required,” they added.
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How some prostate cancers ‘can be diagnosed without biopsy’
Researchers at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) have found MRI scans can be used to detect cancer in some men with a high degree of certainty.
What the research found
- Men may not need to have a biopsy to diagnose prostate cancer.
- Radiologists looked at scan results combined with the patient’s age and their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) score.
- Of the 69 patients deemed to be “99 per cent certain” they had a tumour via their MRI scan, all of them had cancer confirmed through biopsy.
- Researchers said this indicates certain men may not need to have invasive biopsies.
What does this mean?
UCLH consultant radiologist Alex Kirkham said the research indicates prostate cancer could join the list of cancers which can be diagnosed with a scan alone.
Consultant urologist and professor of interventional oncology Mark Emberton said it is particularly important as prostate cancer incidence is only set to rise.
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Th expert reaction
Avoiding unnecessary biopsies is an important goal in cancer care, because they can be painful, invasive and can cause infections… Using MRI alone to diagnose these cancers could make the process much safer and easier for men, and less costly for the NHS.
Dr Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Cancer UK
How some prostate cancers ‘can be diagnosed without biopsy’
Some prostate cancers can be diagnosed without the need for an invasive biopsy, according to a new study.
For some men, cancer can be detected through an MRI scan alone with a high degree of certainty, according to experts from University College London Hospitals (UCLH).
What you need to know
- In many hospitals, men with suspected prostate cancer will be referred for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed images of what is happening in the body. Depending on the images, doctors may also recommend a biopsy.
- In other hospitals, those with suspected cancer will be referred straight for a biopsy – where a small needle is put into the prostate to take a tissue sample so it can be checked for cancer cells.
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A closer look at the detail
There are two different types of biopsy for prostate cancer, with needles inserted in different places depending on the type chosen.
- Samples taken are then examined under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.
Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages for having a biopsy, with the disadvantages including side effects; missed cancers and the detection of non-aggressive or slow growing cancers which may not need treatment.
That doesn’t mean being entirely symptom-free. “A little bloating after a particularly high-fibre meal for example is completely normal and isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” says Rossi. “When our gut microbes ferment certain fibres (which is generally a beneficial process), gas is naturally produced as a by-product. So, we shouldn’t become fearful of every bit of bloating.”
The distinction, she explains, is when symptoms become frequent or start to interfere with day-to-day life. Here are some potential signs your gut may not be functioning well, and what to do about it.
You’re regularly constipated
How often you go isn’t the only measure of constipation, explains specialist gut health dietitian Rosie Abbott. “For example, if you regularly take more than a few minutes to go, need to strain, pass hard stools or never feel like your bowels have completely emptied, these can all be signs of constipation, even if you’re opening your bowels every day.”
Equally, if you’re opening your bowels fewer than three times a week, it’s worth investigating. “There are lots of potential causes. One of the first things I’d look at is whether you’re getting enough fibre – and enough fluid alongside it, because fibre needs fluid to do its job properly,” says Rossi. “Physical inactivity can contribute, too, as can certain medications, changes in routine and ignoring the urge to go. Stress and the gut–brain axis can also influence gut movements, and in these cases just adding more fibre can make symptoms worse. This is why it’s important to understand the why behind your constipation.”
Importantly, Rossi adds: “Persistent constipation can sometimes have an underlying medical cause, so if it’s new, unexplained or isn’t improving, speak to your doctor rather than simply adding more and more fibre.”
You feel like you need to undo your trousers by the end of the day
Bloating “can feel like you’ve got a balloon in your gut,” Rossi explains. “While distension is when you can actually see your abdomen expand. Some people also experience pain alongside it.” There are more than 20 different triggers for bloating she will consider when working with patients in her clinic. “Sometimes it’s simply that someone has increased their fibre intake too quickly and hasn’t given their gut microbes time to adapt – what I call becoming ‘fibre fit.’ Other possibilities include constipation, or lactose intolerance, or consuming lots of sugar alcohols (or polyols) which are found in some sugar-free products. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is another cause, although in reality it’s less common than social media suggests.”
You seem to be getting sick frequently
“Around 70 per cent of the body’s immune cells are located within or associated with the gut, and there’s constant communication between our gut microbes, the intestinal barrier and immune system,” Rossi explains. “So, if you’re the one that always seems to catch every bug going around, it might mean your gut needs some support. For example, you might not be getting enough plant diversity (your gut bacteria love all different types of plants). It might also mean it’s worth adding a specific probiotic that contains both LGG and BB-12 strains (scientific name for types of bacteria), as this combination has been clinically proven to reduce not only symptoms but duration of infections like cold and flu.”
Very loose or frequent stools, or very hard or infrequent stools
“Regularly having very loose or watery stools, needing to open your bowels frequently, or at the other extreme having hard stools that are difficult or infrequent to pass, can indicate diarrhoea or constipation,” says dietician Chloe Hall. “There are many possible causes, including diet, medications, IBS, food intolerances or an underlying gastrointestinal condition such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).”
You have to follow an increasingly restrictive diet to control your gut symptoms
“This is one I see frequently in clinic,” Rossi says. “Someone starts by removing one food because it makes them uncomfortable, then another, and before long they’re avoiding entire food groups just to keep their symptoms under control. That’s a sign to investigate what’s actually driving the symptoms rather than continuing to restrict.
The problem with unnecessary restriction, she adds, “is that it can reduce nutritional adequacy and plant diversity and can have a significant impact on someone’s relationship with food and quality of life.”
You experience lots of particularly smelly wind
“Everyone produces wind, and its smell can be affected by what we eat and by the bacteria in our gut,” Abbott says. “A noticeable increase in wind or a change in its smell, particularly alongside bloating or a change in bowel habit, can sometimes indicate that your digestion isn’t working as well as it could. Diet, constipation, stress, food intolerances and changes in the gut microbiome can all contribute.”
“The important message is that common gut symptoms aren’t always IBS, food intolerance or ‘a sensitive gut,’” Rossi says. “For bowel cancer, red flags include blood in your stool or bleeding from your bottom, an unexplained persistent change in your normal bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain or a lump, and unusual tiredness or shortness of breath, which can be associated with anaemia (picked up with a simple blood test).”
“For ovarian cancer, persistent bloating is particularly important because it’s very easy to mistake it for a digestive issue. Other symptoms include pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full unusually quickly or losing your appetite, and needing to urinate more frequently or urgently.
“Coeliac disease is another important one because it doesn’t always present as the stereotypical diarrhoea after eating gluten,” she adds. “It can present with persistent unexplained gut symptoms, abdominal pain or bloating, diarrhoea or constipation, fatigue, unexplained weight loss or iron-deficiency anaemia. It’s therefore important that coeliac disease is considered before someone is simply labelled as having IBS. And importantly, don’t start a gluten-free diet before you’ve been properly tested for coeliac disease as removing gluten can affect the accuracy of the tests.”
How to know when it’s time to speak to a specialist
“It can be completely normal to experience some digestive symptoms now and again,” Abbott says. “These don’t necessarily mean there is something wrong with your gut. What matters is whether symptoms are persistent, troublesome or represent a significant change from what is normal for you.”
That said, if you notice a new, persistent or unexplained change in your bowel habit, or experience any red-flag symptoms, your first port of call should be your GP, Abbott continues. “They can take a detailed history and, where appropriate, arrange initial investigations such as blood tests or stool tests. Depending on your symptoms and the results, they m