Gut health and the risks of restrictive wellness trends

Scientific research highlights the critical role of the gut as a dynamic ecosystem and the center of the immune system. Known as the ‘second brain’ due to its enteric nervous system, the gut contains more neurons than the spinal cord and produces approximately 70% of the body's serotonin, influencing mood and energy levels.

Experts warn that the wellness industry often promotes harmful shortcuts, such as aggressive detoxes and restrictive diets, which can cause metabolic stress and weaken the intestinal barrier.

Furthermore, specialists from Centro Cadda caution that modern wellness trends like meticulous calorie counting and intermittent fasting can mask early signs of eating disorders. While often normalized by social media as discipline, these behaviors can become problematic when they trigger intense guilt, anxiety, or an obsession with control that outweighs the social and psychological benefits of eating.