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Post-Holiday Bloat: 6 Signs Your Gut Needs Extra Support
Is It Really Just Post-Holiday Bloat?
The holidays are over, but that uncomfortable fullness hasn’t quite disappeared. You’re not alone. Most people experience some digestive discomfort after weeks of rich foods, alcohol, and disrupted routines. But how do you know when it’s just temporary bloating versus a sign that your gut needs serious attention? Read on to learn the 6 signs your gut needs extra support in 2026.
Understanding the difference could be the key to transforming your health this year.
The Post-Holiday Gut: What’s Normal?
After the festive season, it’s completely normal to experience:
- Mild bloating that improves throughout the day
- Occasional gas or indigestion
- Temporary changes in bowel habits
- A feeling of fullness that resolves within 1-2 weeks
These symptoms typically fade as you return to your regular eating patterns and lifestyle. Your gut microbiome is remarkably resilient and can bounce back from short-term dietary changes.
However, certain symptoms suggest something deeper is happening beneath the surface.
6 Signs Your Gut Needs Extra Support
1. Bloating That Persists Beyond Two Weeks
If you’re still dealing with significant abdominal distension three or more weeks after the holidays, this isn’t just about overindulgence. Persistent bloating can indicate an imbalanced gut microbiome or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), where bacteria that belong in the colon migrate to the small intestine.
Research shows that dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut bacteria composition, is strongly associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders and chronic bloating. The diversity and balance of your gut microbiome directly influences how well you digest food and manage inflammation.
What to do: Consider getting a comprehensive gut microbiome test to identify specific bacterial imbalances. Understanding your unique microbiome composition allows for targeted interventions rather than guessing which probiotics or dietary changes might help.
2. Dramatic Food Intolerances That Weren’t There Before
Did you suddenly develop reactions to foods you’ve always tolerated well? New sensitivities to gluten, dairy, FODMAPs, or other common foods can signal increased intestinal permeability or bacterial overgrowth.
When your gut barrier becomes compromised, partially digested food particles can trigger immune responses, leading to symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, skin issues, and digestive distress. SIBO can also impair your ability to digest certain carbohydrates, leading to fermentation and uncomfortable symptoms.
What to do: A SIBO breath test can help determine if bacterial overgrowth is causing your food sensitivities. Identifying the root cause prevents years of unnecessary dietary restrictions.
3. Alternating Constipation and Diarrhea
While occasional changes in bowel habits are normal, a pattern of alternating between constipation and diarrhea suggests dysregulation in gut motility and microbiome function. This pattern is characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and can be influenced by stress, gut bacteria composition, and inflammation.
Studies indicate that the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating intestinal motility and that alterations in bacterial communities are found in patients with IBS.
What to do: Beyond dietary changes, supporting your gut with targeted supplements like digestive enzymes, probiotics tailored to your specific needs, or gut-healing nutrients can help restore regularity. A microbiome test reveals which bacterial species you’re lacking or have in excess.
4. Brain Fog, Anxiety, or Mood Changes
The gut-brain axis is real, and it’s powerful. If you’re experiencing unexplained anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, or mood swings alongside digestive symptoms, your gut health may be affecting your mental health.
Your gut produces approximately 90% of your body’s serotonin, and emerging research demonstrates that gut microbiota composition significantly influences mood, cognitive function, and mental health disorders. Certain bacterial metabolites can cross the blood-brain barrier and directly affect neurological function.
What to do: Address gut health as part of your mental wellness strategy. Psychobiotics (specific probiotic strains that support mental health) and gut-healing protocols can complement other mental health interventions.
5. Skin Issues That Won’t Clear Up
Are you dealing with acne, eczema, rosacea, or other inflammatory skin conditions that appeared or worsened after the holidays? Your skin is often a mirror of your gut health. The gut-skin axis connects digestive inflammation and microbiome imbalances to various dermatological conditions.
Research has established connections between gut dysbiosis and inflammatory skin diseases, with studies showing that improving gut health can lead to significant improvements in skin conditions.
What to do: While topical treatments address symptoms, healing your gut addresses the root cause. Consider supplements that support gut barrier integrity, such as L-glutamine, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, alongside microbiome testing.
6. Chronic Fatigue Despite Adequate Sleep
If you’re getting enough rest but still feel exhausted, your gut might be the culprit. Poor gut health affects nutrient absorption, creates systemic inflammation, and produces metabolic byproducts that drain your energy.
Gut bacteria are essential for synthesising B vitamins, which are crucial for energy production. Dysbiosis and conditions like SIBO can impair your ability to absorb nutrients effectively, leading to deficiencies even with a good diet.
What to do: Testing your microbiome can reveal whether you have beneficial bacterial species that produce essential vitamins and short-chain fatty acids that fuel your cells. Targeted supplementation based on your results can restore energy levels.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
If you recognise two or more of these signs, it’s time to move beyond symptom management and investigate what’s really happening in your gut.
Start with testing. Guessing which supplements or dietary changes you need is inefficient and expensive. Our comprehensive gut microbiome test analyses the diversity and composition of your bacterial communities, while our SIBO breath test identifies bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. These tests provide the roadmap for personalised healing.
Support your gut strategically. Based on your test results, targeted supplements can address your specific imbalances. Whether you need prebiotics to feed beneficial bacteria, specific probiotic strains to restore diversity, digestive enzymes to improve breakdown of foods, or gut-healing nutrients to repair intestinal lining, personalised supplementation delivers better results than one-size-fits-all approaches.
Partner with professionals. Your gut health journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Work with practitioners who can interpret your results and create a comprehensive protocol that addresses diet, lifestyle, stress management, and supplementation.
The Bottom Line
Post-holiday bloating is normal. But if your symptoms persist or you’re experiencing multiple signs of gut dysfunction, 2026 is the year to prioritise your digestive health. Your gut influences everything from your immune system and mental health to your energy levels and skin.
The difference between guessing and knowing what’s happening in your gut could transform not just your digestion, but your entire quality of life.
Ready to get answers? Explore our gut microbiome and SIBO testing options to understand exactly what your gut needs. Plus, discover our range of evidence-based supplements designed to support every aspect of digestive health.
Your gut has been sending you signals. It’s time to listen.
References
- Pittayanon R, Lau JT, Yuan Y, et al. Gut Microbiota in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome—A Systematic Review. Gastroenterology. 2019;157(1):97-108
- Carabotti M, Scirocco A, Maselli MA, Severi C. The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):203-209
- Salem I, Ramser A, Isham N, Ghannoum MA. The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis. Front Microbiol. 2018;9:1459
- Ghoshal UC, Shukla R, Ghoshal U. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Bridge between Functional Organic Dichotomy. Gut Liver. 2017;11(2):196-208
- Dinan TG, Cryan JF. The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2017;46(1):77-89
- LeBlanc JG, Milani C, de Giori GS, et al. Bacteria as vitamin suppliers to their host: a gut microbiota perspective. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2013;24(2):160-168
