6 tongue signs that reveal the truth about your gut!

You may have heard of the gut-brain axis, but did you know that there is a gut-tongue axis too?!

Approximately 1000 bacterial cells travel from the mouth to the stomach every day. The mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, and gut microbiome overlap, and the oral and intestinal microbiota have higher stability.¹

Your tongue is unique to you, and can show physical signs of what is going on in your digestive system. Curious? Look out for these signs – they might just spill the tea on your gut health:²

1. Normal/healthy tongue

A normal/healthy tongue should be a light pink colour with a thin white coating, that doesn’t appear swollen or too big/small for your mouth. If your tongue is a darker pink or red, this can indicate excess heat in your body, and if it looks pale or grey, this can be mirrored with low energy or fatigue, which may be linked to low iron.³

2. White coating

A thick white coating on the tongue could suggest an overgrowth of yeast or low amounts of good bacteria in the gut. This is a common sign of gut inflammation and dysbiosis. A yeast or fungal overgrowth, also known as Candida albicans (thrush) can build up in the gut as well as the mouth. In your gut, it may show up as digestive issues like bloating, constipation, and nausea.⁴. Some individuals suffering from GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease/Acid Reflux) also notice a white coating on their tongue.⁵

3. Cracks or fissures

If your tongue is dry, cracked or with fissures, it may indicate dehydration or nutrient deficiencies caused by an imbalance in the gut microbiome.⁶⁷ Although it’s usually the middle section of your tongue that is affected, there may also be fissures on other areas.⁸

4. Smooth and sore

If your tongue is smooth or sore, it may indicate low iron levels or possible deficiencies in B vitamins. This is an inflammatory condition called glossitis⁹ and can cause the tongue to become smooth as opposed to bumpy. In some cases, this may be due to anaemia, a vitamin deficiency, allergies, or an infection.¹⁰

5. ‘Scalloped’ side/teeth marks

If a tongue enlarges due to dehydration, for example, it can push up against the side of your teeth and cause teeth marks that look like ‘scalloped’ edges. The tongue may also enlarge due to an infection, injury or an allergy. Other reasons include B vitamin deficiencies or low iron levels, which can cause fatigue.¹¹

6. Swollen tongue

Some types of Infection may cause your tongue to swell if you have a fever or are dehydrated. Inflammation in the gut can sometimes appear as swelling in the tongue, especially if there is also bloating or digestive discomfort, or a build-up of toxins. Common allergies can also be a cause, such as some types of nuts, antibiotics, or shellfish. Lack of B vitamins (particularly B12), iron and magnesium may cause the tongue to swell too, possibly due to menstruation/blood loss.¹².

Once you have seen the signs, what can you do?

Hydrate

Hydration is key for overall health and wellness! Drinking water first thing in the morning is helpful for alertness, productivity, and energy. A Hydrating electrolyte drink when you wake up is beneficial, as you can overheat and lose fluids from sweating at night. It aids the body in flushing out toxins and keeps your bowels in good working order. If you struggle to drink plain water, you could flavour it with cucumber, berries, lemon, etc., for added benefits!

Get tested!

If only we had a little window through your belly button to see what’s happening inside your gut… The next best thing is to do a non-invasive test to check for lingering gut infections from food poisoning, UTIs or dental issues that can lead to long-term health problems, including autoimmune issues. Our Chuckling Goat Microbiome Test is an easy-to-use home test that checks for 14 pathogens and a wide range of gut health markers to uncover what’s really going on inside your microbiome. Your results will show diversity, pathogens, prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, mental wellness and systemic wellness.

Eat anti-inflammatory foods

To reduce inflammation, anti -inflammatory and anti-oxidant foods are important to include in your diet. Eat a rainbow! All the different colours of foods include different vitamins and minerals that your body needs. If you have noticed signs on your tongue that indicate low B vitamins, be sure to include wholegrains, meat and fish, eggs, and mushrooms. Eating iron-rich foods such as leafy greens and red meat, liver, beans, dried fruit, and including some vitamin C (citrus fruits, kiwi, berries) at the same time will help you absorb the iron more effectively.¹³ Check out this nutritious soup recipe here, packed with anti-inflammatory foods.

Adopt an anti-candida diet

The anti-candida diet can help reduce symptoms of candida (thrush). Some foods add beneficial bacteria to your gut and are antifungals, such as onions, garlic, and coconut oil. Include herbs such as oregano and turmeric and ensure you’re getting a good dose of fermented foods, such as kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut.¹⁴

Scrape your tongue!

Gentle brushing of your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper, along with good oral hygiene and plenty of water, may help resolve a simple white coating.¹⁵

Here’s what your skin condition may be telling you about the health of your gut!

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.