23. Why Fiber Works for Some People and Wrecks Others

Should everyone be eating more fiber?If you’ve spent any time in the health world, you’ve probably heard conflicting opinions. Some experts claim fiber is essential for gut health, hormone balance, and weight management. Others insist that fiber causes bloating, inflammation, and digestive distress.So who’s right?In this episode of The Overflow, Becky Webb and Bronwyn Deiter dive into the fascinating world of the gut microbiome and explore why fiber can be incredibly helpful for some people—and problematic for others.You’ll learn how your gut bacteria influence everything from digestion and immunity to mood and metabolism, why resistant starch has become such a popular topic in wellness circles, and how stress may be affecting your gut more than you realize.Most importantly, you’ll discover why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and how to begin listening to your body’s unique needs.In This Episode You’ll Learn:* What the gut microbiome actually does for your health* How gut bacteria help produce vitamins and neurotransmitters* The difference between soluble and insoluble fiber* Why some people feel amazing eating beans while others struggle* How resistant starch supports beneficial gut bacteria* The surprising connection between fiber, hormones, and estrogen detoxification* Why chronic stress can contribute to food sensitivities and digestive issues* How digestive enzymes impact your ability to tolerate fiber-rich foods* The role ancestry and genetics may play in food tolerance* Practical ways to introduce fiber slowly and support microbiome diversityKey TakeawayNutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all.The same food that helps one person thrive may create symptoms in someone else. Rather than following extreme diet trends, learning to understand your body’s signals and supporting your digestive health can help you build resilience over time.Your gut is unique—and your nutrition approach should be too.Resources Mentioned* Resistant starch and gut health* The GAPS Diet* Weston A. Price’s research on traditional diets* The gut microbiome and neurotransmitter production* Stress, digestion, and gut permeabilityConnect With UsIf you enjoyed today’s conversation, we’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend.Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover on a future episode? Send us a message—we’d love to hear from you!Becky - instgram.com/beckyjwebbBronwyn - https://instagram.com/cleangreenstartAndrea - https://www.instagram.com/andrealahmanGrab Our Free Resources Becky - https://beckyjwebb.com/linktreeAndrea - https://andrealahman.com/stress-subscribe/Bronwyn - https://cleangreenstart.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit overflowpodcast.substack.com