A new 2026 scientific consensus defines gut health as normal gastrointestinal function, without active gut disease, and without gut-related symptoms that significantly affect quality of life.

Gut health is basically how happy your insides are – from what goes in your mouth to what comes out the other end – and it affects everything from your poos to your mood.

These are our Gut Check campaign posters — designed to start conversations and get people talking about gut health. 

Put one up at work. Send one to that person who keeps ignoring their screening reminder. You know who.

The gut health world is full of big claims and pricey products. Here’s a quick myth-buster to help you sort the science from the sales pitch.

Inside your gut lives a community of trillions

Inside your gut lives a busy community of trillions of microbes – bacteria, fungi and other tiny organisms. They help you break down food, make vitamins, train your immune system and send signals that can influence your mood and thinking.

Your microbiome community lives in your large intestine or colon – and what you eat and how you live can shift this community in a matter of weeks.

A plant‑rich, less‑processed way of eating, regular movement and stress‑supporting habits like sleep and downtime all help build a more diverse, resilient microbiome. In Aotearoa New Zealand, early research suggests different ethnic groups have different “typical” gut bugs – a reminder that there’s no one perfect microbiome, and that culture and food traditions matter.

You’re not just your genes

You’re not a walking list of “things that run in the family”. Your gut is chatting all day with your brain, heart, immune system, liver and even your skin.

Your everyday choices can nudge those chats in a healthier direction.

Gut and mood problems often show up together. That doesn’t mean it’s “all in your head” – it means your gut, immune system and brain are in a tight loop.