Gut Health, Diversity, and the Gaps in Research We Can’t Ignore
February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate the resilience, cultural richness, and profound contributions of Black Americans. While not everyone stops to recognize this, I do. Because turning a blind eye to diversity doesn’t make it disappear—it just deepens the disparities that already exist, especially in healthcare.
As a former social worker turned gut health expert, I’ve always known that people’s backgrounds shape their access to resources, their well-being, and even the way their bodies respond to different foods. Health isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every community faces unique challenges influenced by history, environment, and systemic inequalities. Acknowledging these differences isn’t about division—it’s about empowerment.
And when it comes to gut health? The reality is, research has a long way to go in understanding these nuances.
The Problem: A Research Gap That Leaves Too Many Out
Genetics influence everything from how our gut microbes thrive to how our bodies process nutrients. But even more important than genetics are the environmental factors that shape our microbiome over time. Different ethnic and racial groups have distinct gut health patterns, sometimes influenced by diet, lifestyle, and even intergenerational factors.
Now, here’s the problem: Despite the U.S. being more diverse than ever (with over 40% of the population identifying as non-White and 13% as Black), health research still overwhelmingly focuses on White Americans—especially White males. That means the data that shapes medical recommendations often misses crucial insights about other populations.
Take gut health research, for example. Only 3% of microbiome studies represent individuals with African ancestry. That’s barely a blip on the research radar. (If you want to nerd out on what needs to change, check out Byrd, Carson, Williams, & Vogtmann, 2020.)
What We Do Know About Gut Health in Black Americans
Even with limited research, some important trends have emerged—many of which highlight why gut health matters big time for Black Americans:
🦠 Microbiome Makeup & Colon Cancer
Some studies suggest that a change in the gut microbiome may contribute to higher rates of colorectal cancer in Black Americans. Specifically:
• Lower levels of butyrate, an anti-inflammatory compound produced by fiber-loving gut bacteria. A lower-fiber diet may contribute to this imbalance.
• Changes in bile acid composition, which can influence gut inflammation and cancer risk. (Bile acids are transformed in the gut by specific bacteria.)
Interestingly, this study comparing colorectal cancer rates in African Americans eating a Standard American Diet compared to native Africans consuming traditional diets suggests that these differences in cancer risk are largely environmentally influenced—meaning diet and lifestyle play a major role in the development of cancer.
💩 Digestive Conditions & Disparities
Beyond colorectal cancer risk, other gut health concerns disproportionately affect Black Americans:
• Constipation is reported more frequently among Black women compared to the general U.S. population.
• Crohn’s disease appears more often—and in a more complex form—in Black Americans, possibly linked to normal genetic variations.
• H. pylori infections are more common, which raises the risk for stomach ulcers and, in some cases, stomach cancer (though, thankfully, gastric cancer mortality rates have been decreasing in Black Americans).
Why This Matters—and What You Can Do
For me, understanding these nuances isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a crucial part of making gut health personal for every client I work with. Because the more we know about how different communities experience gut health, the better we can tailor strategies for real healing.
But here’s the thing: This isn’t just about Black Americans. Every cultural background carries unique gut health insights—whether it’s the prevalence of lactose intolerance, how traditional diets impact microbiomes, or genetic predispositions to certain gut conditions like Crohn’s Disease.
👉 So here’s my challenge for you:
Explore the gut health nuances of your background. Dig into how your family history, traditional foods, and cultural lifestyle patterns might be shaping your gut health today. And if you need help uncovering what your gut is telling you? That’s where I come in.
Let’s make gut health work for you.
Want to dive deeper into how your microbiome is influencing your health? Book a free call with me here. Let’s get your gut on the right track.