
It’s important to know that everyone has a leaky gut to some extent, as our gut lining is designed to allow nutrients to pass through into our bloodstream. However, if your gut is allowing toxins to pass through as well as vital nutrients, you may be suffering from leaky gut syndrome.
The main symptoms of a leaky gut include:
It can be hard to test for a leaky gut at home, so it’s recommended that you visit your GP if you are consistently displaying any of the symptoms above.
The best foods to help heal a leaky gut
When treating or recovering from a leaky gut, it’s important to stick to a gut-friendly diet. Follow these tips if you’re looking for a leaky gut diet:

Is Biotiful Kefir a good food for leaky gut?
Biotiful Kefir provides the gut with a wide variety of healthy bacteria and it’s so simple to add to your usual routine. Probiotics are key for helping to heal a leaky gut, to rebalance your microbiome, reduce inflammation and also help to restore the intestinal wall.
Whenever you’d usually eat yogurt, simply swap it out for Biotiful Kefir yogurt as one of the best probiotics to help heal a leaky gut. Take inspiration from our Kefir recipes to see just how easy it is to add into your routine. Learn everything there is to know about Kefir!

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Frequently asked questions about how to heal a leaky gut
How long does it take to heal a leaky gut?
It’s hard to put a timescale on your journey to healing a leaky gut journey. For some people it can be a matter of weeks, whereas it can take longer for other people. It’s dependent on genetics, as well as how many foods you’re happy to remove from your diet that can contribute to a leaky gut, or how many foods for a leaky gut you’re willing to add. If your symptoms aren’t severe, and you commit to a leaky gut diet, you can see considerable differences within weeks.
What foods to avoid with a leaky gut?
As mentioned, the key to healing your leaky gut could lie in your diet. When considering a leaky gut diet, it’s important to not only consider the foods you do eat for a leaky gut but also the foods you need to avoid. Try to avoid foods that are known to negatively impact gut health and increase inflammation. This includes:
- Processed meat (e.g. ham, bacon, salami)
- Fried food (e.g. french fries, battered fish, fried chicken)
- High-sugar treats (e.g. cookies, cakes, fizzy drinks)
- Alcohol
Does a leaky gut smell?
No, a common misconception is that a leaky gut comes with a bad smell. However, a leaky gut may impact your bowels and cause increased gas.
Are fermented foods and probiotics good for a leaky gut?
Yes, fermented foods that contain probiotics are great for overall gut health, so they will help you in your fight against a leaky gut. Probiotics are great for a leaky gut, and fermented foods like Biotiful Kefir are rich in probiotics.
Our Biotiful Kefir range includes yogurts, drinks and so much more. If you want to learn more about the benefits of kefir, we have a range of blogs for you to explore.
Does drinking water help heal a leaky gut?
Drinking water alone won’t heal a leaky gut, but it can contribute to better overall gut health. Staying hydrated can aid bowel movements, flush out harmful toxins and support the digestion process.
Can doctors test for a leaky gut?
To test for a leaky gut, your GP may use the following methods, then help to advise on how to heal a leaky gut:
Urine Test: This will involve drinking a solution containing sugars that should be too large to pass through the gut lining. The urine test will show how many sugar molecules are actually passing through your gut.
Blood Test: A blood test can look for antibodies and endotoxins that are linked to your immune system and inflammation, which could reveal a specific illness or condition that is linked to an overly-permeable gut.
Tissue Biopsy: A doctor may take a sample of your gut tissue before using it to analyse the permeability of your gut.
Confocal Endomicroscopy: This modern technique provides a magnified view of your gut lining, while fluid is injected to test for ‘leaks’.
How can you tell if you have a leaky gut?
It’s important to know that everyone has a leaky gut to some extent, as our gut lining is designed to allow nutrients to pass through into our bloodstream. However, if your gut is allowing toxins to pass through as well as vital nutrients, you may be suffering from leaky gut syndrome, and you should learn how to heal a leaky gut with the right diet.