11 Best Gut Health Books (2025)

When we hear “gut problems,” most of us think about bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or indigestion. But the gut does so much more than just process food – it affects your mood, sleep, energy levels, and even your daily motivation to get things done.

Once you start noticing how deeply your gut is connected to your overall well-being, everything starts to click. And that’s exactly why finding the right gut health books can be such a game-changer.

There’s no shortage of books out there – many by experts who’ve done the digging for you. The key is finding one that speaks your language, meets you where you are, and helps you finally make sense of what your body’s been trying to tell you.

I’ve put together a list of books that helped me kickstart my gut-healing journey and finally feel like myself again, even while living with IBS. Hopefully, they’ll do the same for you – or at least be the beginning of something that finally makes sense.

1.  The Gut Health Doctor: An Easy-to-Digest Guide to Health from the Inside Out – Dr. Megan Rossi
2. The Mind-Gut Connection – Dr. Emeran Mayer
3. Fiber Fueled – Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
4. The Good Gut – Dr. Justin Sonnenburg & Dr. Erica Sonnenburg
5. The Microbiome Solution – Dr. Robynne Chutkan
6. Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ – Giulia Enders
7.  The Diet Myth – Tim Spector
8.  The Plant Paradox – Dr. Steven R. Gundry
9. 10% Human – Alanna Collen
10. SuperGut – Dr. William Davis
11.  Eat More, Live Well – Dr. Megan Rossi

What makes these the best gut health books – I’ll share the parts that impressed me, why I love them, and where you can get these favorites.

1. “The Gut Health Doctor: An Easy-to-Digest Guide to Health from the Inside Out ”

Ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of gut health advice out there? Dr. Megan Rossi, known as The Gut Health Doctor, simplifies the science in her book, Eat Yourself Healthy.

And here’s why it’s at the very top of my list: I’ve read this book cover to cover, and it changed the way I care for my gut. If I had to recommend just one gut health book, it would be this one.

Dr. Rossi shows how your gut influences everything from digestion and skin health to mood and immunity. You’ll learn how to build a more diverse microbiome, spot hidden gut disruptors, and eat in a way that supports long-term wellness, without cutting out all the joy.

What I really love about this book is that the recipes inside aren’t boring at all. You’ll surely find yourself digging into yummy spinach pesto pasta or creamy pistachio without feeling guilty.

With over 50 gut-friendly recipes, you’ll find meals that are both tasty and gut-beneficial.

It’s available on Amazon for $31 if you’d like to buy it. 

2. “The Mind-Gut Connection”

We’ve all felt it – that little flip in the stomach before a big decision, or the knots that show up when stress kicks in. Turns out, that’s not just “in your head.” In The Mind-Gut Connection, Dr. Emeran Mayer (the same one who heads the UCLA Center for Neurobiology of Stress) shows how deeply connected our brain and gut really are – and how the microbes in our bellies may have more influence than we think.

This book doesn’t just skim the surface. It dives into how our gut and brain communicate through a network that’s been recognized for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, but only recently appreciated by Western science. And the best part? Dr. Mayer gives you real tools to support this powerful connection – no PhD required.

What Makes This Book a Must-Read:

• How a plant-based diet can help heal your gut and calm your mind
• Why fermented foods, probiotics, and intermittent fasting can balance your microbiome
• How clearing the gut-brain “signal path” can lead to better digestion, less bloating, and even weight loss
• How to support your body to boost immunity and protect brain health, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s prevention
• Practical ways to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and avoid that constant fatigue loop
• Natural strategies to tackle gut disorders like IBS, food sensitivities, and leaky gut

It is available on Amazon for $15.94 in hardcover and $10.59 in paperback.

3. “Fiber Fueled”

Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting diet advice? Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, affectionately known as “Dr. B,” offers a refreshing perspective in Fiber Fueled. 

This New York Times bestseller challenges popular restrictive diets like keto and paleo, presenting a compelling case for a diverse, plant-based approach to gut health.

Drawing from over 600 scientific studies, Dr. B emphasizes the pivotal role of dietary fiber in nurturing our gut microbiome. He introduces readers to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), powerful compounds produced when gut microbes ferment fiber. These SCFAs are linked to numerous health benefits, including:

• Weight Management: Enhancing metabolism and promoting satiety
• Digestive Health: Healing leaky gut and alleviating IBS symptoms
• Immune Support: Reducing inflammation and bolstering immunity
• Mental Well-being: Improving mood and cognitive function

Why This Book Stands Out:

• Dr. B shares his journey from a self-proclaimed “junk-food junkie” to a gut health advocate, making the science relatable.
• Includes a 28-day program with meal plans and over 65 recipes to kickstart your fiber-fueled lifestyle.
• Encourages readers to embrace plant diversity, stating, “Diversity of plants is the Golden Rule of healthy eating.”

You can get it from Amazon: $14.85 for hardcover, $54.33 for paperback, and $13.95 for Kindle ebook.

4. “The Good Gut”

Written by Justin and Erica Sonnenburg, PhDs, “The Good Gut: Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long-term Health” argue that our gut microbiota is facing what they call a “mass extinction event” (similar to what happened to the dinosaurs) due to antibiotic over-use and bad diets.

What’s the solution to that problem? Making our guts healthy, of course.

Here’s why it is worth reading:

• It discusses in detail why there could be a connection between our gut microbiome and the spike in some of the most troubling modern afflictions that affected the world: cancer, autism, food allergies, and mood disorders such as anxiety.
• The book isn’t just all talk. The authors also offer a health plan that includes recipes and a menu plan to nourish your microbiota and keep them from becoming endangered species.

You can find the book on Amazon – $15.97 (hardcover); $12.24 (paperback)

5. “The Microbiome Solution”

In “The Microbiome Solution: A Radical New Way to Heal Your Body from the Inside Out,” Dr. Robynne Chutkan claims that every chronic ailment or serious disease begins in our gut.

She explains that this is the reason why it’s important to keep our guts healthy.

Here’s why it is worth reading:

• I love that Dr. Chutkan includes a guide on how we can remove damaging foods and medications from our system, then restore health by replenishing important bacteria.
• The book also has a guide to the questions you need to ask your doctor, nourishing recipes, and preventative and recovery health tips.
• You’ll also learn about the stool transplant, the strange but possibly effective remedy to a severely troubled microbiome.

You will find it on Amazon – $ 7.82- $23.76 (hardcover); $19.80 (paperback); $10.99 (Kindle ebook)

6. “Gut: The Inside Story Of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ”

Gut stands out to me because it makes science feel like a casual conversation over coffee.

Giulia Enders, a scientist and medical doctor, explains the inner workings of your digestive system with humor, clarity, and a surprising amount of charm. 

With fresh research, quirky illustrations, and a voice that feels personal, this book turns complex biology into a page-turner. No wonder it became a global bestseller and even appeared on Netflix’s “Hack Your Health.”

She shares insights into everything from acid reflux and lactose intolerance to the fascinating world of microbes that may actually shape your mental health.

The tone is friendly but never fluffy. You’ll laugh, nod along, and likely rethink what you eat. Best of all, the information sticks because it’s told like a story, not a science lecture. It’s the kind of book you finish feeling smarter and a little more in tune with your own body.

Here’s why it is worth reading:

• Clears up common confusion around food intolerances, like gluten and lactose, with simple, science-based answers.
• Talks about why things like bloating, acid reflux, and even your poop are worth paying attention to (and what they reveal).
• Uncovers the fascinating world of psychobiotics—friendly gut bacteria that can actually boost your mood and help ease anxiety, stress, and even symptoms of depression.

It is there on Amazon – $11.16 (paperback); $9.99 (Kindle ebook)

7. “The Diet Myth”

This book flips everything you think you know about dieting on its head. In The Diet Myth, renowned genetic epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector takes readers on a deep dive into the gut microbiome and explains why no single diet works for everyone. 

A peer of mine read it and insisted I do too. He told me it completely changed the way he thinks about food now. So naturally, I was compelled to read.

From why some people gain weight on the same diet others lose weight on to why calorie counting misses the mark, this book is an eye-opener.

Here is why it is worth reading:

• Breaks down why calorie counting is flawed, and how our bodies respond differently to the same foods based on our unique gut microbiome.
• Exposes the science behind diet myths and fad trends, cutting through the noise with clarity and facts.
• Shows that dietary diversity—not restriction—is the true key to long-term health, a balanced gut, and sustainable weight.
• Encourages a more personalized, microbiome-friendly approach that works with your body, not against it.

You can get it from Amazon for $15.96 (paperback)

8. “The Plant Paradox Cookbook”

“The Plant Paradox Cookbook: 100 Delicious Recipes to Help You Lose Weight, Heal Your Gut, and Live Lectin-Free” by Dr. Steven R. Gundry is certainly a must-buy. 

This is the companion cookbook for the New York Times bestseller, “The Plant Paradox.” 

It is also available in a condensed version (quick and easy 30-day plan) and with a family cookbook (different pot recipes from the plant cookbook version.

Here’s why it is worth reading:

• Gundry identifies lectins, found in foods like beans, grains, and some vegetables, as potential culprits behind inflammation, weight gain, and autoimmune issues.
• The book explains how plants have developed natural defense mechanisms, like lectins, and how these can sometimes work against our health.
• He offers a detailed plan to reduce lectin intake by choosing specific vegetables, fruits, and proteins that are gentler on the gut.
• Gundry emphasizes the importance of personalized nutrition, reminding readers that a single approach doesn’t work for everyone.
• While some of his claims have sparked debate in the scientific community, the book still offers a fresh, research-inspired lens to rethink your relationship with food.

You can buy your copy from Amazon – $14.61 (hardcover); $37.62 (spiral-bound)

9. “10% Human”

“10% Human: How Your Body’s Microbes Hold the Key to Health and Happiness” is an interesting book written by evolutionary biologist and science writer Alanna Collen. 

She argues that we are just 10% human because our bodies are filled with countless bacteria and fungi! Also, she claims that there are nine “impostor cells” hitching a ride in every cell of our bodies. 

Yikes.

But it isn’t bad at all. You’ve got to read the book to learn more about that argument.

Here’s why it is worth reading:

• Collen connects the dots between our disrupted microbial balance and the rise in modern illnesses like allergies, autoimmune conditions, mental health disorders, and obesity.
  
• She explores how our obsession with antibiotics, sanitized environments, and processed foods has quietly but dramatically shifted the microbial makeup we rely on for health.
  
• With compelling research and personal stories, the book shows how microbes influence everything from digestion to immune responses—and even our behavior and emotions.
  
• Perhaps most empowering of all, Collen explains how our microbial communities aren’t fixed. With mindful changes, we can start to restore balance and improve our health from the inside out.
  
• Her writing strikes a perfect balance between scientific depth and accessibility, making complex concepts feel surprisingly personal and relatable.

You will find it on Amazon – $15.99 (paperback); $9.99 (Kindle ebook)

10. SuperGut – Dr. William Davis

In Super Gut, bestselling author and cardiologist Dr. William Davis pulls back the curtain on the root cause of many modern ailments: a damaged and depleted gut microbiome. 

With clarity and conviction, he explains how common conditions like brain fog, fatigue, bloating, skin issues, weight gain, and even depression often begin in the gut. But instead of offering a temporary fix, Davis shows readers how to restore what’s missing.

Here’s is why it is worth reading:

• Reveals the silent epidemic of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), which affects 1 in 3 people and is often overlooked as the root cause of bloating, fatigue, brain fog, and more.
• Shows how our modern lifestyle—full of processed foods, pesticides, and antibiotics—has wiped out essential gut bacteria that keep us healthy, happy, and energized.
• Introduces Lactobacillus reuteri and other “good” microbes that can be reintroduced to support mood, improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and even slow aging.
• Breaks down complex science into clear, actionable advice with a 4-week plan, over 40 gut-healing recipes, and step-by-step guidance to rebuild your microbiome.

It is available on Amazon – (hardcover) $19.14; (paperback) $19

 11. Eat More, Live Well 

Another banger by Dr. Rossi – If you’re tired of confusing diet rules, fear-based nutrition advice, and overly restrictive plans, Eat More, Live Well feels like a breath of fresh air. 

This book will help you add goodness of plant diversity in your life, instead of fixating on cutting things out.

Drawing on the latest research and her clinical experience, Dr. Rossi shows how gut health is connected to everything from immunity to mood, sleep, and metabolism.

Here’s why it is worth reading:

• Shifts the focus from restriction to inclusion—encouraging you to eat more plants, not less food.
• Emphasizes the “30 plants a week” rule, based on cutting-edge research, to promote a thriving gut microbiome and overall well-being.
• Offers practical tips for building gut-friendly habits that are sustainable, not stressful.
• Includes over 80 easy, flexible recipes that are as delicious as they are nourishing.
• Blends scientific credibility with a genuinely supportive tone—no guilt-tripping, no jargon, just real help.
  
• Written by a trusted expert who’s not only backed by research but also actively listens to and engages with her community.

You can purchase Eat More, Live Well by Dr. Megan Rossi from Amazon – (Paperback)  $20.11; (Kindle)  $19.99

Conclusion

Gut health is a complex and fascinating topic, and the books on this list provide a great starting point for learning more. Whether you’re looking to improve your own gut health or want to help others do so, these books are sure to offer insights that will benefit you both.

Each one of these books offers important topics in gut nutrition. Some even offer guidelines or recipes you can try as a practical application at home.

Which one appealed to you the most? I actually enjoyed all these books, so it’s quite hard for me to pick just one. 

But if you really want to get just one, I recommend choosing books that include easy-to-make recipes. Trust me, they’re really helpful and bring you one step closer to achieving your health goals.