Summer Digestion Survival Guide: Expert Tips from ND Ludo Brunel

As temperatures rise and routines shift, many people find their digestion doesn’t quite keep up with the season. From travel stress and indulgent BBQs to hydration struggles and gut flora changes, summer often brings bloating, constipation, gas, and other digestive discomforts.

In this enlightening episode of The Tonic, naturopathic doctor Ludo Brunel breaks down why digestion tends to suffer during the summer—and what you can do about it.

Drawing from 20 years of clinical experience and training in nutrition and naturopathy, Dr. Brunel delivers practical advice to help you beat summer bloat, maintain regularity, and support your gut naturally—without sacrificing summer fun. He elaborates on how disrupting your regular routine can lead to bloating and discomfort.

👨‍⚕️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why digestion worsens in hot weather — and what your symptoms might be telling you
• How travel, BBQs, and alcohol impact your microbiome
• The role of hydration and fiber in preventing constipation. Simple observations which include dark yellow urine can indicate fluid reserve loss of up to 8%.
• What bloating really means and how to ease the discomfort
• When to use digestive enzymes and which types to choose (plant-based vs animal-based). He prefers plant based ones as they’re easier on the intestines.
• Which gut-friendly supplements Dr. Brunel keeps in his family’s travel kit, glutamine is a favourite to ease the GI tract.
• The best foods to hydrate, cool, and support digestion (think cucumbers, berries, and fermented foods)
• What to avoid at summer gatherings—and how to prepare meats safely to prevent foodborne illness
• Simple self-checks to monitor your gut health, like paying attention to bloating, bowel regularity, and even urine color

Dr. Brunel also highlights powerhouse supplements like psyllium husk, inulin, ginger, probiotics, and L-glutamine—explaining how and when to use them. He expands how psyllium needs to be paired with adequate water intake, and how inulin is a great prebiotic. Fruits such as papaya and pineapple deliver proteolytic enzymes handy to breakdown protein packed grilled meats. He even shares smart family tips for managing motion sickness (ginger), constipation (fibre and fluids), and digestive fatigue on the go. An interesting tip is to keep hydrated but avoid too much water with meals as they dilute stomach acid. Frequent handwashing is also a must, especially for the grill master.

Whether you’re hitting the cottage, firing up the grill, or planning a big vacation, this episode is your summer gut health game plan.

🔗 Listen now and feel your best all summer long — from cookouts to campgrounds, your gut will thank you.