Why is gut health important?

Gut health is important because our tummy, or gut, has lots of tiny living things called microbes. These little helpers do many important jobs to keep us healthy. They help us digest our food, absorb nutrients, and even make sure our immune system is strong. When our gut is healthy, it's like having a strong army of good microbes inside us that fights off bad things. A happy and healthy gut also helps our brain and mood. So, when we eat good foods like fruits, veggies, and other healthy stuff, we make our gut strong, and that's super important for our overall well-being!

In this article, we would discuss major statistics on gut health with a focus on the following; 

Major statistics on Gut health 

• How many people suffer with gut health challenges
• Gut Health statistics by type
• Gut Health Statistics By Age
• Gut Health Statistics By Gender
• Gut Health Statistics by Country
• What Supplement or products are preferred by People with gut health challenges?
• What are the most used shopping channels 

Major Statistics on Gut Health 

1. About 40% of people worldwide experience gut health challenges, equating to 4 out of 10 individuals.
2. In the U.S., between 25 and 45 million people are affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), representing 10-15% of the population.
3. Approximately 1 million new cases of hemorrhoids are reported each year in the U.S.
4. Globally, there were 7.32 billion digestive disease incidents in 2019, leading to 8 million deaths.
5. Half of Australians face digestive problems annually, with 1 in 7 experiencing IBS.
6. Globally, up to 20% of children suffer from functional gastrointestinal disorders, like chronic abdominal pain.
7. Turmeric is a popular choice for gut health, with 13% of those with digestive issues using it to reduce inflammation. 

How many people had gut health challenges?

• About 40% of the global population or 4 out of every ten people suffer with gut health challenges in the world. 
• About two-thirds of Americans live with one or more gut issues without being aware of its consequences. 
• In 2019, there were 7.32 billion incidents and 2.86 billion prevalent cases of digestive diseases, resulting in 8 million deaths and 277 million Daily-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)

Gut health statistics by type

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS affects about 10-15% of the global population. In the U.S., IBS affects approximately 25 to 45 million people. On a global scale, the disease affects 1 in every 25 adults.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affecting about 6.8 million people worldwide. In the U.S., nearly 3 million adults have IBD.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD affects about 10-20% of the global population. ​Approximately 60 to 70 million people suffer from GERD-related symptoms in the U.S.​

• Celiac Disease: Celiac disease affects 1 in 100 people globally. So far, the disease have been diagnosed in over 3 million Americans. 
• Hermorrhoids: it affects about 10.4 million people in the U.S. About 1 million people come down with the condition annually.  The possibility of hemorrhoids is expected to increase as people grow older with senior from 51 years and above experiencing the worst cases. 

Gut Health Statistics by Age group

• Children and Adolescents: Up to 20% of children worldwide experience functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as chronic abdominal pain. 
• Adults (18-65 years): Approximately 10-15% of adults globally suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Women are nearly twice as likely to be affected by IBS compared to men, with 5.2% of adult women experiencing IBS symptoms compared to 2.9% of men.
• Older Adults (65+ years): Around 30-40% of elderly individuals experience gastrointestinal disorders, including constipation and diverticulosis. 

Gut health statistics by gender 

• Women are nearly twice as likely to be affected by IBS compared to men, with 5.2% of adult women experiencing IBS symptoms compared to 2.9% of men.

Gut health statistics by country

1. United States: Approximately 25-45 million Americans suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), about 10-15% of the population. Digestive disorders account for about 8.3 million annual emergency room admissions.
2. United Kingdom: Around 1 in 5 adults in the UK are affected by IBS. More than 40% of the UK population experience at least one digestive problem each year, with acid reflux and IBS being the most common.
3. Australia: Approximately 50% of Australians report experiencing digestive problems in a given year. Nearly 1 in 7 Australians are affected by IBS, with higher rates in women.
4. India: The prevalence of gut diseases is estimated to be around 18%. IBS prevalence in India is around 4-8%, with a significant impact on quality of life.
5. China: About 10% of Chinese adults suffer from IBS. Increasing rates of gastrointestinal disorders are linked to changing diets and urban lifestyles, particularly in metropolitan areas.

What Supplement or products are preferred by People with gut health challenges?

Many people with digestive issues often use vitamins and supplements to help their gut. Research from Brightfield Group shows that those with digestive problems are more likely to buy specific supplements like probiotics, collagen, and kombucha.

What are the most common ingredients for Digestive health? 

Apart from the mentioned supplements, certain ingredients have become popular in 2023 for their potential benefits for digestion. Some of these ingredients are listed below; 

1. Turmeric was the most liked ingredient thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation. About 13% of people dealing with gut health challenges have attested to using it. 
2. Vitamin B-12 is a favored ingredient for maintaining gut health because it is vital for various functions, including red blood cell formation, nerve function, energy metabolism, gut lining maintenance, and support for a healthy gut microbiome. Data from industry trends in 2023 shows about 30% of consumers aiming for digestive health tend to include vitamin B-12 in their wellness routine.
3. Adaptogenic herbs like ginseng, cordyceps and Maca are also notable in promoting gut health by helping the body manage stress, which can affect gut health. Elderberry and ashwagandha, in particular, have been consistently purchased by this group over the past year.

What are the most used Shopping Channels and Social Media Platforms for gut health challenges?

Consumers mostly buy supplements from regular grocery stores, online platforms (especially Amazon), and pharmacies such as Walgreens and Duane Read. Interestingly, health food stores like Whole Foods are among the least preferred places for consumers with digestive issues to buy supplements, with only 13% choosing them as their go-to retailers.

People dealing with gut health challenges are most likely to be on Twitter (X) and Reddit than other social media platforms. 

Sources

1.       Global digestive health market (2023). https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/04/26/2655230/28124/en/Global-Digestive-Health-Market-Report-2023-Rising-Geriatric-Population-is-Driving-Growth.html. Acesssed 12/18/2023

2.       BrightField Group; Latest Gut health trends in 2023. https://blog.brightfieldgroup.com/digestive-gut-health-consumer-insights-2023 Accessed 12/18/2023

https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(23)00825-9/fulltext#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20there%20were%207.32%20billion%20incidents%20and%202.86%20billion%20prevalent%20cases%20of%20digestive%20diseases%2C%20resulting%20in%208%20million%20deaths%20and%20277%20million%20DALYs%20lost