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The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee

Gut Health Hype: What Actually Works? | Christopher Gardner, PhD

Oct 19, 2026 · 51m

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Before you buy another gut-health product, hear what the human research actually found. Stanford nutrition scientist Christopher Gardner, PhD, explains the evidence on fiber, fermented foods, and inflammation. When you're trying to feel better, a promise of billions of beneficial bacteria can sound convincing. But what do those numbers really tell you about the product you're buying? Gardner joins Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room Podcast to unpack a human trial that surprised his own research team. The fermented-food group increased gut microbial diversity and had lower levels of several inflammatory markers, while the fiber group's responses were more complicated. He explains why these…