Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut

I'm a sucker for just about any health-related documentary and this one was no different. The talking heads are knowledgeable and the host, Giulia Enders, is positively delightful. The heavy use of animations was (mostly) cute and effective. I've been kinda obsessed with gut health for a while, so it was nice to know I'm on the right track. We eat lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts and usually have stuff like yogurt, kimchi, natto, kefir, and a few other fantastic fermented foods in our fridge.

The title is probably too cutesy as there's nothing really to "hack" about gut health. The knowledge is out there: plentiful water and sleep; less sugar in your diet and no sugary sodas; eat less fast food; and reduce intake of highly-processed foods and anything that comes from a box with a list of unpronounceable ingredients. We'd all do better if we heed Michael Pollan and not "eat anything your grandmother wouldn't recognize" and to "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." I know that proscription sounds easy, but at least have some sauerkraut!

I think this documentary is easy to follow and makes talking about digestion and poop fun! It also offers a different perspective on what "healthy" eating looks like. Instead of focusing on the nutrients of certain food, it focuses on how our food contributes to the gut microbiome that then affects our overall physical health and mental well-being. It's a good way to restore relationships with food and offer valid reasons to focus on lifestyle changes rather than diet fads that are often restrictive. It does a decent job of following individuals with different lifestyle and eating habits, so the average viewer may resonate with one of them. It could be more diverse from that standpoint, but overall a quick and "digestible" film!

Couldn't wait for this documentary. So I watched it right away. It was very easy to watch, a bit to easy for me.

But then I am reading a lot about (healthy) food, because we have allergies and eczema running in our family.

I hoped this would provide me with some more detailed info about how your gut works. Especially the combination of certain more specific bacteria and food on diseases. But it did not so much.

However, it did this in general. It certainly was a nice, step-in documentary to get yourself informed about the influence of your food. And the importance of this food and your poop.

I would suggest people who would like tot know more about good food, to also watch "you are what you eat, a twin experiment".

For myself, I can conclude food-variation of veggie and fruit is (always) the answer. And for now I will turn back to some books about the influence of certain foods to your gut. Perhaps someday there will be an expansion of this documentary, I'd be curious about that one.

Enjoy exploring your gut ;-).

Finally... A real documentary on health with actual studies.. most Netflix shows are just having people sit and eat and test rapidly to trick people that it is good. But this one really dives in. As for the cartoon, I don't see any other way to present the bacterias, watching a scene with bacteria doing something under a microscope can be... A bit boring.. everyone is different and have their opinions, whether you like the animation or not.. and that is what's so great about this documentary because it is saying exactly that. Your body is different... Whether your a child or an adult... The information presented is very simple and easy to understand.

I read so much hate on this documentary because it's too simple, too easy, childish, for dumb people (?), etc. Sorry that not everything in the world is plain and serious. For the haters, just go back to reading scientific papers all day and let others learn in their own ways.

First of all, not everyone is on the same level about food and the gut. Not everyone is a hippie foody. Not everyone grew up in a family where healthy food is the standard. This documentary is understandable for everyone!

Secondly, the information itself is very interesting and completely backed by science. Not random internet foodies provide the information, but actual scientist and experts. It also show the lifestyles of normal everyday people who all struggle with food and their gut in some way. I thought it made it way more accesible for the viewer.

At last, it helped me a great deal with changing my course and I hope it will for someone who reads this review (and watches the documentary of course).