Brits' Gut Health in Crisis: New Research Reveals Shocking Truths

Almost two-thirds of Brits admit they don't think about their gut health, and despite spending an average of £23.50 per month on gut health-related products and services, the UK's average gut health score is just 38 out of 100. The research, conducted by Opinium, highlights a worrying disconnect between consumers' willingness to invest in their gut health and their actual levels of well-being. The Activia Gut Health Tracker, launched to address this issue, provides a personalized assessment of gut health based on lifestyle factors such as diet, activity, sleep, and stress.

Key Takeaways:

• 62% of Brits admit they don't even think about their gut health, highlighting a concerning lack of awareness about the importance of gut health.
• Despite spending an average of £23.50 per month on gut health-related products and services, the UK's average gut health score is just 38 out of 100.
• Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and millennials, are investing heavily in their gut health, with Gen Z spending £36.90 a month and millennials spending £41.50, but their gut health scores are still relatively low.
• 46% of Brits suffer from bloating, constipation, or abdominal pain at least once a month, with this figure rising to 56% among Gen Z and 54% among millennials.
• Gut health plays a critical role in overall well-being, influencing factors such as immune system function, nutrient absorption, sleep, mental health, energy levels, and skin condition.
• 44% of adults admit to feeling stressed on a weekly basis, highlighting the need to proactively support gut health to manage stress levels.
• The Activia Gut Health Tracker helps people understand and support their gut health by assessing key lifestyle factors, including diet, activity, sleep, and stress.
• Incorporating more fermented foods, increasing fiber intake, eating diverse fruits and vegetables, prioritizing sleep, managing stress, and moving more are all key strategies for improving gut health.

Statistics:

• 62% of Brits don't even think about their gut health (Opinium research).
• The average gut health score in the UK is 38 out of 100 (Opinium research).
• Gen Z spends £36.90 per month on gut health-related products and services (Opinium research).
• Millennials spend £41.50 per month on gut health-related products and services (Opinium research).
• 46% of Brits suffer from bloating, constipation, or abdominal pain at least once a month (Opinium research).
• 56% of Gen Z and 54% of millennials suffer from bloating, constipation, or abdominal pain at least once a month (Opinium research).
• 44% of adults admit to feeling stressed on a weekly basis (Opinium research).
• The average adult gets just 6 hours and 42 minutes of sleep per night (Opinium research).

Sources:

• Opinium research study, conducted between March 3 and 10, 2025, with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults.
• Rachel Wright, head of marketing at Activia, and Lisa and Alana Macfarlane, co-founders of The Gut Stuff, as quoted in the article.