How Stress and Mindful Eating Impact Digestive Health
Now, we all know that digestion can be a complex business, but did you know that our stress levels and emotional well-being play a huge role in how smoothly things flow? Today, we’re diving into this fascinating connection between the gut and the nervous system with our amazing Nutritional Therapist, Cori Flynn. Read on for some fascinating insights…

I completed a course on managing reflux a couple of months ago, which included an in-depth revisit of the different processes throughout the digestive tract. There’s a lot going on in there, and I had a brilliant consultation with an anatomy teacher last week, who was fascinated to hear a more complex description of the digestive process.
We were trained in how to safely remove a PPI/Antacid medication in clients who wish to do so (where appropriate), but my key take away was not so fixated on the gut, but more, that we cannot underestimate the influence of the nervous system on digestive function. This key concept confirms my appreciation for working as part of a multidisciplinary team at the Dr Indra Clinic, including working alongside mental health practitioners who can go one step further in supporting these clients.

We have to be in rest and digest for stomach acid secretion. This means that stress and depression have a direct impact on digestion, and if we are in a rush, our brain doesn’t have time to react before food is eaten, and therefore gastric juices won’t be ready to receive food and break it down efficiently – meaning poor absorption of nutrients.
Various body systems are depending on these nutrients for processes to take place, e.g. energy production, hormone metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and so many more, which is why as naturopathic nutritionists, we commonly refer to the gut as the seat to all health.
So we are not just looking at what foods are being eaten but also how they are being eaten. Is our vagus nerve being supported? Are we focussing on our food or do we have many other distractions around us?
We do need to focus on types of food being eaten, but it is not the only thing that could be contributing to a whole myriad of digestive symptoms such as: flatulence, burping, burning sensation, pain, discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, globus, and loss of appetite.
In this collaborative care team, I am fortunate to work alongside Bobby, an integrative pharmacist as well as yoga and Ayurvedic practitioner. We have collaborated, to bring a holistic programme which supports those experiencing reflux or looking to reduce their PPI/Antacid medication use safely.
Struggling With Reflux? We Can Help
If you’re struggling with reflux or looking to reduce your dependency on antacids safely, don’t hesitate to reach out to Cori and the team at the Dr Indra Clinic. As Cori reminds us, the journey to digestive health isn’t just about what we eat—it’s about how we live. Visit our Functional Medicine Appointments page to arrange to see a member of our team, or email us To book an appoint, email us at [email protected]