The key to living a happier, healthier life is inside us.
Our gut is almost as important to us as our brain or our heart, yet we know very little about how it works. In Gut, Giulia Enders shows that rather than the utilitarian and — let’s be honest — somewhat embarrassing body part we imagine it to be, it is one of the most complex, important, and even miraculous parts of our anatomy. And scientists are only just discovering quite how much it has to offer; new research shows that gut bacteria can play a role in everything from obesity and allergies to Alzheimer’s.
Beginning with the personal experience of illness that inspired her research, and going on to explain everything from the basics of nutrient absorption to the latest science linking bowel bacteria with depression, Enders has written an entertaining, informative health handbook. Gut definitely shows that we can all benefit from getting to know the wondrous world of our inner workings.
In this charming book, young scientist Giulia Enders takes us on a fascinating tour of our insides. Her message is simple — if we treat our gut well, it will treat us well in return. But how do we do that? And why do we need to? Find out in this surprising, and surprisingly funny, exploration of the least understood of our organs.
‘Enders’ gut manifesto calls on its readers to celebrate their lower bodies’ achievements, rather than apologise for them’
The Guardian
‘[Enders] is utterly, charmingly obsessed with the gut, gut bacteria and poo. She writes and talks about her subject matter with such childlike enthusiasm it's infectious … The perfect toilet book.’
Annalisa Barbieri, The Guardian
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‘Giulia Enders has a warm and simple prose style and her sister's illustrations are delightful.’
William Cook, The Spectator
‘Giulia Enders takes a no-nonsense approach to bodily functions … [Gut] reads like a breeze … you can totally see why it's been massive.’
Grazia
‘[Enders is] a publishing sensation … There is something compelling and refreshing about her curiosity and popular approach.’
Simon Usbourne, Independent
‘A primer on poo … Enders offers nuggets of wisdom on everything from the ideal position in which to evacuate your bowels to the science of fæces identification … There are some fascinating insights here … Food for thought.’
Independent on Sunday
‘[Gut] had me laughing aloud.’
Debora MacKenzie, New Scientist
‘The revelation that each of us depends on our individual living world, with far more inhabitants than there are people on earth, is surely sensational.’
Clive Cookson, Financial Times
‘Enders, a German research microbiologist, obviously adores her subject matter … [her] project is to show how those essential functions of the human body that some people may consider unseemly or unspeakable are in fact wondrous and worthy of exultation.’
Karen Hitchcock, Weekend Australian
‘The world’s most surprising page-turner.’
Anna Murphy, The Times
‘Like farmers, we can foster the right microbial balance by introducing better breeds into the resident stock in our gut world; we can even, it seems, manage our moods and mend our minds … Each note reinforces her message that feeling miserable can be just as much about how the gut is performing as the state of our neurotransmitters … Enders is particularly good at explaining why the gut is the body’s largest sensory organ and how it works co-operatively with the brain to stabilise our emotional lives.’
Gail Bell, Sydney Morning Herald
‘A hugely informative and also entertaining look at a part of the body that we should stop ignoring.’
Country Living
‘If you only buy one health book this year make it this one. It’s educational, funny and a breeze to read. Get to grips with your gut!’
Signes Johansen, author of Secrets of Scandinavian Cooking: Scandilicious
‘Gut has more to offer than potty-language and a sense of humor … It’s hard not to be awed by Enders’ vast knowledge of anatomy and microbiology and share her fascination with the 100 trillion tiny creatures in our tummies.’
Beauty and Wellbeing
‘[A]n amazing romp down our alimentary canal.’
New Scientist
‘A quirky tour of the gastro-intestinal tract.’
Sunday Herald
‘Both funny and informative, a brilliant examination of one of our most complex — and underappreciated — organs.’
The Observer
