A Healthy Shift | The Shift Work Podcast

[268] - Why Shift Work Messes with Your Gut—and What You Can Do About It


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If you’ve ever felt bloated, gassy, or just off in the gut after a night shift — you’re not alone. In this episode, I unpack exactly why shift work messes with your digestion, and what you can actually do about it.

Forget blaming food intolerances — the root issue is often your disrupted circadian rhythm, not the food itself. I break down how your internal body clock affects digestion and share simple, evidence-backed habits to get your gut back on track (without resorting to expensive supplements or guesswork).

Whether you’re battling gut discomfort, irregularity, or just feel like your digestion is out of sync — this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why your digestive issues may not be food-related at all
  • How every cell in your body, including your gut, runs on an internal clock
  • What happens to digestion during your biological night (9 PM–6 AM)
  • Why eating at regular times (yes, even on shifts) helps your body work better
  • The gut-damaging combo of stress, dehydration, and irregular eating
  • Smart strategies: low-GI eating, movement during shifts, and hydration tips
  • When (and if) supplements like probiotics are worth trying

Let’s Stay Connected:

If this episode helped you, please share it with a fellow shift worker, nurse, or emergency responder who might be struggling too.

Support the show

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Roger Sutherland is Australia's Night Shift & Sleep Specialist and the founder of A Healthy Shift.

After more than 40 years working rotating shifts with Victoria Police, Roger now helps organisations reduce fatigue risk, improve staff wellbeing and build healthier, safer and higher-performing 24/7 workplaces through evidence-based education, circadian biology and the Shift Work Champions™ Framework.

Shift Work Champions™: https://join.ahealthyshift.com/shift-work-capability

Website: https://ahealthyshift.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-sutherland

Instagram: @a_healthy_shift

___________________

Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional.  Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.

_______________________

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A Healthy Shift | The Shift Work PodcastBy Roger Sutherland | Founder, A Healthy Shift | Night Shift & Sleep Specialist | Shift Work Educator

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