US doctor warns that antibiotics can disrupt your gut microbiome for months

US doctor warns that antibiotics can disrupt your gut microbiome for months; shares 5 facts about gut health

US doctor warns that antibiotics can disrupt your gut microbiome for months; shares 5 facts about gut health

Your gut is responsible for a lot more than digestion. Dr Sood shares 5 gut health facts that everyone should know about.

Published on: Mar 14, 2026 5:16 PM IST By Eshana Saha Share via Copy link Gut health plays a far greater role in overall well-being than many people realise. While it is commonly associated with digestion, the gut is also responsible for absorbing nutrients, regulating parts of the immune system and influencing functions that affect the brain, heart and other organs. Because of this, problems in the gut can show up as more than just stomach discomfort – symptoms like bloating, reflux or irregular bowel movements may signal deeper physiological imbalances that deserve attention. Antibiotics can disrupt your gut microbiome for months! (Unsplash) Also Read | Are you extra sensitive to cold? US doctor shares 3 biological reasons that can heighten cold sensitivity Dr Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, has shared five key facts about gut health, covering common concerns ranging from bloating and constipation to the role of fibre intake and the impact of antibiotics on the gut microbiome. In an Instagram video shared on March 3, the physician highlights, “Your gut influences more than digestion. These patterns are clinically meaningful, not just ‘minor symptoms’. Gut symptoms often reflect physiology. Transit time, microbiome balance, mucosal integrity, and fibre intake all matter long before serious disease develops.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kunal Sood, MD (@doctorsoood)

Daily bloating isn’t normal

Dr Sood highlights that while occasional bloating is normal, experiencing it every day may signal an underlying issue. Persistent bloating can be linked to gastrointestinal disorders, poor microbiome fermentation, motility problems or gut dysbiosis. It may also result from excess gas production caused by poor nutrient absorption or impaired gastrointestinal function. He explains, “Occasional bloating is common. Daily or near-daily bloating often reflects functional GI disorders, abnormal fermentation, motility dysfunction, or dysbiosis. Mechanisms include excess gas production from poorly absorbed carbohydrates, impaired abdominal wall reflexes, and slowed transit.”

Constipation is less than 3 bowel movements per week

Dr Sood explains that constipation is typically defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week, often accompanied by straining or passing hard stools. When intestinal transit slows down, the colon absorbs more water from the stool, causing it to become drier and harder, which further contributes to difficulty in passing it. He states, “Rome IV defines functional constipation as less than three spontaneous bowel movements per week plus symptoms like straining or hard stools. Slow transit increases water reabsorption, hardens stool, and weakens the defecation reflex, reinforcing the cycle.”

Chronic heartburn can damage your oesophagus

According to the physician, chronic acid reflux exposes the oesophageal lining to acid and pepsin, which causes inflammation. Over time and persistent exposure, it can lead to long-term injury and scarring, even sometimes resulting in a precancerous condition called Barrett’s oesophagus. He explains, “Persistent reflux exposes squamous oesophageal lining to acid and pepsin, causing inflammation (oesophagitis). Long-term injury can lead to Barrett’s oesophagus, a precancerous change, or peptic strictures from scarring.”

Antibiotics can disrupt your gut for months

Dr Sood emphasises that antibiotics do not only target harmful bacteria – they also wipe out beneficial microbes in the gut, which can significantly alter the microbiome. For this reason, antibiotics should be taken only when absolutely necessary. He stresses that while the total number of microbial species may eventually recover, the delicate ecological balance of the gut may never fully return to its original baseline. He explains, “Antibiotics reduce microbial diversity and can permanently shift microbiome composition. Even if total species numbers recover, ecological balance may not return to baseline. Some broad-spectrum antibiotics show long-lasting effects.”

Aim for 25 to 38 grams of fibre daily

Adequate fibre intake is essential for gut health because it feeds beneficial gut microbes. When fibre is fermented by these microbes, it produces short-chain fatty acids that help reduce inflammation and support the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier. Fibre also plays a key role in improving gut motility and promoting smoother digestive transit. Dr Sood explains, “Guidelines recommend 25 grams (approx) per day for women and 38 grams (approx) per day for men. Fibre feeds gut microbes, producing short-chain fatty acids like butyrate that support the epithelial barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve transit. Higher fibre intake is linked with better laxation and lower chronic disease risk.” Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Eshana Saha Eshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More Constipation Acid Reflux Gut Microbiome Antibiotic Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

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Gut health plays a far greater role in overall well-being than many people realise. While it is commonly associated with digestion, the gut is also responsible for absorbing nutrients, regulating parts of the immune system and influencing functions that affect the brain, heart and other organs. Because of this, problems in the gut can show up as more than just stomach discomfort – symptoms like bloating, reflux or irregular bowel movements may signal deeper physiological imbalances that deserve attention.

Also Read | Are you extra sensitive to cold? US doctor shares 3 biological reasons that can heighten cold sensitivity

Dr Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, has shared five key facts about gut health, covering common concerns ranging from bloating and constipation to the role of fibre intake and the impact of antibiotics on the gut microbiome. In an Instagram video shared on March 3, the physician highlights, “Your gut influences more than digestion. These patterns are clinically meaningful, not just ‘minor symptoms’. Gut symptoms often reflect physiology. Transit time, microbiome balance, mucosal integrity, and fibre intake all matter long before serious disease develops.”

He explains, “Occasional bloating is common. Daily or near-daily bloating often reflects functional GI disorders, abnormal fermentation, motility dysfunction, or dysbiosis. Mechanisms include excess gas production from poorly absorbed carbohydrates, impaired abdominal wall reflexes, and slowed transit.”

He states, “Rome IV defines functional constipation as less than three spontaneous bowel movements per week plus symptoms like straining or hard stools. Slow transit increases water reabsorption, hardens stool, and weakens the defecation reflex, reinforcing the cycle.”

He explains, “Persistent reflux exposes squamous oesophageal lining to acid and pepsin, causing inflammation (oesophagitis). Long-term injury can lead to Barrett’s oesophagus, a precancerous change, or peptic strictures from scarring.”

He explains, “Antibiotics reduce microbial diversity and can permanently shift microbiome composition. Even if total species numbers recover, ecological balance may not return to baseline. Some broad-spectrum antibiotics show long-lasting effects.”

Dr Sood explains, “Guidelines recommend 25 grams (approx) per day for women and 38 grams (approx) per day for men. Fibre feeds gut microbes, producing short-chain fatty acids like butyrate that support the epithelial barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve transit. Higher fibre intake is linked with better laxation and lower chronic disease risk.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

Source: HindustanTimes
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