April is Stress Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to take a closer look at natural ways to support your mental well-being. While stress is a normal part of life, how we manage it can make a big difference. Did you know that your gut may hold one of the keys? New research highlights the surprising connection between your digestive health and your mood, with consuming fermented foods highlighted as an easy, effective way to support a calmer state of mind.
Your Gut and Your Mood: A Powerful Connection
When your gut microbiome is out of balance, it can throw off key brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. In fact, up to 90% of the body’s serotonin—often called the “happy hormone”—is produced in the gut. That means what’s happening in your digestive system has a lot to do with how you feel emotionally.
Probiotics and Psychobiotics: What’s the Difference?
While you’ve probably heard of probiotics, it’s important to note that not all are created equal. Some specific strains, known as psychobiotics, directly influence brain health and stress responses. Gabrielle shares, “These probiotics directly influence brain health, and when you take them more consistently, you can shift your nervous system more from that fight or flight to that more balanced rest and digest state, which is where we want to be to get more out of our meals and just to be in a calmer, relaxed state of mind.”
One example is Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1, which has been shown to boost GABA activity, a calming neurotransmitter. Another, Bifidobacterium longum 1714, helps lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and supports memory and focus during pressure-filled moments.
Choosing Fermented Foods
Fortunately, you don’t need to start on supplements right away. First, incorporating fermented foods into your diet is an easy and natural place to start. Here are some great choices:
Gabrielle especially recommends fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi because they offer both live cultures and the fiber (prebiotics) those good bacteria need to thrive.
DIY Gut Support: You’ve Got Options
Don’t see fermented veggies at your grocery store? Try making your own. With just vegetables and a salt brine, you can create your own batch of stress-busting beneficial bacteria at home. Carrots, jalapeños, cucumbers—most veggies can be fermented, and the process is surprisingly simple.
Eating for a Calmer, Clearer Mind
Improving gut health isn’t just about adding beneficial foods—it’s also about cutting out the harmful ones. Processed foods, alcohol, and excess sugar can feed harmful bacteria and trigger inflammation. Pairing smart nutrition choices with mindful eating—like chewing slowly and eating without distractions—boosts the benefits even more.
Stress may be unavoidable, but how we respond to it is within our control. Start small with one fermented food a day and see how your mood, focus, and energy shift. Your gut (and your brain) will thank you. Book a consultation with our Dallas nutritionist, Gabrielle today and start taming the tension in your life.