The gastrointestinal tract plays a central role in our health: it processes food, absorbs vital nutrients and is an important part of our immune system. Disorders in the digestive tract can therefore lead to numerous complaints and health consequences.

Gastrointestinal complaints such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation or flatulence are widespread. They can occur suddenly - for example in the case of intolerances or illnesses such as infections - or persist over a longer period of time. Functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, which affects around 4% of the population worldwide, are particularly common¹.

A key factor for the health of our digestive system is the microbiome - the multitude of microorganisms that colonise our gut. It not only supports digestion, but also has a major influence on the immune system and general health. If the microbiome is out of balance, this can trigger a wide range of complaints - from digestive problems to chronic inflammation or metabolic diseases.

¹ Sperber AD, Bangdiwala SI, Drossman DA, et al. Worldwide Prevalence and Burden of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Results of Rome Foundation Global Study. Gastroenterology. 2021;160(1):99-114.e3.