21 Best Gut Health Books (2024)
Do you know the Gut Health Industry Market size is predicted to increase to $89.9 billion by 2030 from $55.7 billion in 2023?
So, yeah, there’s nothing better than a well-researched gut health book to tell you everything there is to know about your gut health and how you can become healthier just by taking care of your tummy and bowel health.
I personally picked these 21 best gut health books, including some cookbooks to help you achieve a better, healthier you:
- “The Gut Wellness Guide” by Allison Post and Stephen Cavaliere
- “The Mind-Gut Connection: How The Astonishing Dialogue Taking Place In Our Bodies Impacts Health, Weight, And Mood” by Emeran Mayer
- “Fiber Fueled” by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
- “The Good Gut” by Justin and Erica Sonnenburg
- “Gut Garden” by Katie Brosnan
- “The Microbiome Solution” by Dr. Robynne Chutkan
- “Gut: The Inside Story Of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ” by Giulia Enders
- “The Gut Health Diet Plan” by Christine Bailey
- “Cook for Your Gut Health” by America’s Test Kitchen
- “The Gut Flush Plan” by Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., CNS
- “The Diet Myth” by Tim Spector
- “Csiro Gut Health Book” by Pennie Taylor, Michael Conlon, and Tony Bird
- “The Plant Paradox Cookbook: 100 Delicious Recipes to Help You Lose Weight, Heal Your Gut, and Live Lectin-Free” by Dr. Gundry
- “The Good Gut Guide: Delicious Recipes & a Simple 6-Week Plan for Inner Health & Outer Beauty” by Liz Earle
- “The Gut Health Doctor: An Easy-to-Digest Guide to Health from the Inside Out” by Megan Rossi
- “The Gut Health Guidebook” by Sarah Ballantyne
- “The Clever Gut Diet” by Dr. Michael Mosley
- “10% Human: How Your Body’s Microbes Hold the Key to Health and Happiness” by Alanna Collen
- “Gut Health: How To Improve Your Physical And Mental Well-Being With A Correct Gut Diet Plan” by Robert Francisco Diamond
- “Happy Healthy Gut: The Plant-Based Diet Solution to Curing IBS and Other Chronic Digestive Disorders” by Jennifer Browne
- “The Gut Stuff: An Empowering Guide To Your Gut & Its Microbes” by Alana & Lisa Macfarlane
Many of these are actually gut health books best sellers on Amazon or online bookstores like Good Reads, Barnes & Nobles, Books a Million, and Bookshop.org.
What makes these the best gut health books? Let me tell you my best parts about each of these books, why I love them, and where you can get these favorites.
1. “The Gut Wellness Guide”
“The Gut Wellness Guide” by Allison Post and Stephen Cavaliere is one of my favorite books on gut health and anxiety.
I love that this book discusses everything from gut health to a wide range of conditions that I didn’t know were affected by gut issues.
It touches on topics like digestive problems, anxiety, and depression, yet is written in a user-friendly manner.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- It explains the devastating impact that our gut microbiome and microbiota (such as gut bacteria) can have on digestion, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
- It provides proven techniques (particularly deep breathing methods) to reconnect with our bodies and reclaim our health by keeping our guts healthy.
- The book authors also promise to provide methods to help address IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), diarrhea, constipation, food sensitivities, and heartburn.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (allisonpost.com) – shop redirects to Amazon
- Penguin Random House – $18.95 (paperback)
- Amazon – $18.95 (paperback); $12.99 (Kindle ebook)
- Barnes and Noble – $18.95 (paperback); $12.99 (ebook); $36.95 (audiobook)
2. “The Mind-Gut Connection”
“The Mind-Gut Connection: How The Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health” by Dr. Emeran Mayer is next up on my list because it easily explains the connection between our minds and our guts.
This book was written by an expert who works as a professor of medicine and the executive director of the UCLA Center for Neurobiology of Stress.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- Filed under my favorite books on gut health and anxiety, it offers 10 simple steps to take toward optimal health.
- It also has tips on how you can “listen to your gut” and actually understand what signals your body is sending from your gut to your brain.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (emeranmayer.com) – lists the third-party shops where you can order the books
- Barnes and Noble – $29.99 (hardcover); $15.99 (paperback); $12.99 (ebook)
- Harper Collins Publishers – $23.99 (hardcover); $14.39 (paperback); $10.99 to $12.99 (ebook)
- Amazon – $28.89 (hardcover); $15.39 (paperback); $27.29 (audio CD)
3. “Fiber Fueled”
One of the bestsellers recognized by USA Today, the New York Times, and Publisher’s Weekly, “Fiber Fueled” by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, also known as Dr. B, offers a plant-based plan that challenges popular restrictive diets like paleo and keto.
In this book, Dr. B explains how these elimination diets are hazardous to our health and how we can reduce the risk of inflammation and other health issues by keeping our guts healthy.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- It explains how we can actually train our guts to maintain long-term health to help us feel better inside and out.
- It includes a 28-day jumpstart program that features menus and over 65 delicious but healthy recipes.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (theplantfedgut.com) – lists the third-party shops where you can order the books
- Barnes and Noble – $24.30 (hardcover); $18 (paperback); $11.99 (ebook)
- Amazon – $14.29 (hardcover); $15.17 (paperback); $11.99 (Kindle ebook)
- Indigo – $36 (hardcover); $24 (paperback); $16.99 (Kobo 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.
Where to buy:
- Amazon – $33.62 (hardcover); $13.29 (paperback); $22.50 (audio CD)
- Barnes and Noble – $15.99 (paperback); $12.99 (ebook)
- Indigo – $30.58 (hardcover); $23.37 (paperback); $14.99 (Kobo ebook)
5. “Gut Garden”
In “Gut Garden: A Journey Into The Wonderful World Of Your Microbiome,” author Katie Brosnan takes us on the incredible journey inside the undiscovered universe of microbes inside our bodies.
It’s like a science adventure book as you get to explore fascinating frontiers inside our bodies, without even taking a step outside our house. Cool, isn’t it?
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- It’s a great educational book for adults and kids alike. I love that it explains complicated scientific processes in simple layman’s terms that are easy to understand.
- This book can be a great introductory book to your budding scientist or a guide to anyone who wants to become healthy by starting with a healthy gut.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (katiebrosnan.com)
- Amazon – $16.95 (hardcover); $5.44 (Kindle ebook)
- Barnes and Nobles – $16.95 (hardcover); $16.95 (ebook)
- IndieBound Bookshop – $15.76 (hardcover)
6. “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.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (robynnechutkan.com) – lists the third-party shops where you can order the books
- Penguin Random House – $17 (paperback)
- Amazon – $19.75 (hardcover); $13.49 (paperback); $11.99 (Kindle ebook)
7. “Gut: The Inside Story Of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ”
“Gut: The Inside Story Of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ” by Giulia Enders reveals the secrets and little-known facts about our gut.
She explains that the gut is the least appreciated and most ignored organ, yet it actually performs very important functions in our bodies.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- A great book even for those without a scientific background.
- I love the humor in the illustrations and the conversation style that makes you want to read every single word on this page-turner.
Where to buy:
- Harvard Book Store – $17.95 (paperback)
- Barnes and Noble – $15.95 (paperback); $13.49 (ebook)
- Amazon – $11.69 (paperback); $9.99 (Kindle ebook)
8. “The Gut Health Diet Plan”
Recognizing that our gut health is critical in keeping many major health concerns away, Christine Bailey created “The Gut Health Diet Plan: Recipes to Restore Digestive Health and Boost Wellbeing” to promote better gut health.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- It offers a revolutionary 30-day program.
- This book teaches the best techniques to tackle the root causes of unhealthy guts with five simple steps you can follow: Remove, Replace, Repopulate, Repair, and Rebalance.
- These recipes were designed to help remove the underlying factors damaging your gut to help restore your digestive health, stop inflammation, and heal your gut for good.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (christinebailey.co.uk) – £12.99 (around US $13.64)
- Kobo – $9.99
- Better World Reads – $9.69
9. “Cook for Your Gut Health”
Prepared by America’s Test Kitchen, “Cook for Your Gut Health” features 170+ recipes that are good for your gut for a healthier you.
Not only are the recipes delicious, but they also help improve your gut and overall health.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- This isn’t just a recipe book cooked up by chefs but was prepared with the help of dietician Alicia A. Romano.
- This book features carefully crafted recipes for different lifestyles and health concerns, including recipes using low-wheat, high-fiber, and low-lactose ingredients
- You can also find suggestions to convert these recipes if you follow a dairy-free, allium-free, and gluten-free, or the low FODMAP diet (sugars: fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols).
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (shop.americastestkitchen.com) – $19.99
- Penguin Random House – $29.99
- Amazon – $18.49 (paperback); $34.63 (spiral-bound); $17.99 (Kindle ebook)
10. “The Gut Flush Plan”
Dubbed as America’s “First Lady of Nutrition,” Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., CNS, penned plenty of books, not just about gut health but also about other important nutrition and health topics for men and women.
The “The Gut Flush Plan” helps you outsmart what Gittleman calls “hidden invaders and superbugs” that threaten to put our health at stake.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- I love that this book features a guide to help flush out toxins for a healthier you. The author shares her 21-Day Gut Flush Plan.
- You can find irresistible recipes, menu plans, plus shopping lists to help you prepare healthy and delicious foods, with herbs and spices, that also enhance immunity and reduce intestinal issues.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (annlouise.com) – shop redirects to Amazon
- Abe Books – $12.39 (new); $4.17 (used)
- Amazon – $18.28 (hardcover); $12.25 (paperback); $5.99 (Kindle ebook)
11. “The Diet Myth”
If you’re looking for a Tim Spector gut health book, you’ll find several to choose from, including “The Diet Myth.”
In this book, the prolific author wrote some of the reasons why diet fads and many health advice fail.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- The British epidemiologist and science writer explained why you might be losing any weight even if you’re following these diet fads because the diet itself isn’t the only factor for potential weight loss.
- The author also debunks the common misconceptions about vitamins, nutrients, calories, and fat that we have all been incorrectly informed about.
Where to buy:
- Amazon – $38.99 (hardcover); $20.13 (paperback); $2.99 (Kindle ebook)
- Abe Books – $16.14 (used)
- Better World Books – $15.54 (ebook)
12. “The CSIRO Healthy Gut Diet”
Funded and prepared by the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), an Australian Government agency, “The CSIRO Healthy Gut Diet” was penned by scientists Pennie Taylor, Michael Conlon, and Tony Bird.
This CSIRO gut health book isn’t just for Australians but also offers practical and useful information for everyone.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- What I really love best about this book is that it offers simple and practical advice with a wide range of easy-to-make recipes that aren’t just delicious but were also designed to provide maximum benefits to our gut and overall health.
- I also love the bright, glossy pages that make the pictures look so real – the perfect motivation to whip up some tasty food for good health.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (publish.csiro.au) – AU $34.99 (around US $22.85)
- Amazon – $29.54 (paperback); $18.17 (Kindle ebook)
- Pan Macmillan Australia – $34.99 (paperback)
13. “The Plant Paradox Cookbook”
Looking for yummy recipes to be healthy and also lose weight?
“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.”
You might be amazed to know that the Dr. Gundry gut health book 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:
- Did you know that there are hidden dangers in some common foods that many us love to eat? While that isn’t something new, I’m amazed by what I learned in this book – including how it’s good to avoid food with lectins (quinoa, tomatoes, zucchini, and brown rice).
- As a companion to the bestselling book, this cookbook offers practical applications of what you learned from there, including a quick-start program to boost your weight loss.
- There are recipes available for everything from breakfasts, main meals, and snacks to desserts and smoothies.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (drgundry.com) – shop redirects to Harper Wave
- Barnes and Noble – $31.49 (hardcover); $18.49 (ebook)
- Porch Light Books – $35 (hardcover)
- Amazon – $20.49 (hardcover); $38.99 (spiral-bound); $18.49 (Kindle ebook)
14. “The Good Gut Guide”
“The Good Gut Guide: Delicious Recipes & a Simple 6-Week Plan for Inner Health & Outer Beauty” was written by Liz Earle, an expert in feel-good food and providing ways to eat well to look your best.
This Liz Earle gut health book explains the connection between the friendly microbes that digest our food and also help boost our brain health, mood, emotions, and energy levels while combating aging and promoting weight loss.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- This book provides practical advice on prebiotics, probiotics, and fermented foods we need to achieve weight loss and deal with long-standing health issues.
- I also love that this cookbook offers 80 delicious recipes that you can follow for a simple 6-week meal plan to achieve your personal goals.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (lizearlewellbeing.com) – £25.00 (around US $27)
- Book Grocer – $15 (hardcover)
- Amazon – $21.85 (hardcover); $3.99 (Kindle ebook)
15. “The Gut Health Doctor”
“Eat Yourself Healthy: An Easy-to-Digest Guide to Health from the Inside Out” is a book written by Megan Rossi, known as The Gut Health Doctor. Who also runs one of my favorite gut health blogs.
Drawing on her experience as a dietitian and consultant at The Gut Health Clinic, the Megan Rossi gut health book is a practical guide for a healthy, happy gut.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- 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.
- There are also lots of easy-to-make, mouth-watering recipes for the whole family.
Where to buy:
- The author’s website (theguthealthdoctor.com) – lists the third-party shops where you can order the books
- Amazon – $21.81 (paperback)
16. “The Gut Health Guidebook”
“The Gut Health Guidebook” by Sarah Ballantyne dives deep into our gut health, explaining how we can achieve optimal healthy by building a new diet based on the gut microbiome.
This Sarah Ballantyne gut health book explains the science of our guts in a comprehensive approach that’s actually easier to understand.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- It’s a guide that shows the optimal diet and lifestyle for a healthy gut microbiome.
- I love that it explains important things like how the foods we eat can impact our guts.
- Plus it also offers information on the 20 keys to gut health.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (thepaleomom.com) – $27.99 (ebook)
17. “The Clever Gut Diet”
“The Clever Gut Diet: How to Revolutionize Your Body from the Inside Out” by Dr. Michael Mosley can help you cut your sugar cravings, lose weight naturally, and boost your immune system.
That’s certainly a revolutionary way of keeping healthy by simply providing our guts with the right foods to digest.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- What I really love about this book is that it offers a new perspective on the foods that we eat. For example, did you know that foods like red wine, chocolate, and cheese can actually be part of a gut-healthy diet?
- Dr. Mosley also provides scientifically proven ways to boost our immune system and lose weight by cutting cravings and keeping our guts healthy.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (cleverguts.com) – shop redirects to Amazon
- Books a Million – $16.99 (paperback); $11.99 (audio CD); $2.99 (used)
- Amazon – $14.03 (paperback)
- Barnes and Noble – $16.99 (paperback); $12.99 (ebook)
18. “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:
- It’s a fascinating read that introduces our bodies in a whole new light.
Where to buy:
- Harper Collins – $13.59 (paperback); $12.99 (ebook)
- Amazon – $27.99 (hardcover); $16.99 (paperback); $12.49 (Kindle ebook)
19. “Gut Health”
“Gut Health: How To Improve Your Physical And Mental Well-Being With A Correct Gut Diet Plan” by Robert Francisco Diamond is one of my favorite books on gut health and mental health.
It tells us that the stress and anxiety we feel might actually be connected to our gut.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- I really love how this book easily explains and provides great examples of what foods we can eat to improve our gut health and achieve the perfect weight.
- It made me realize that natural remedies can actually be a powerful tool in weight loss.
Where to buy:
- Walmart – $34.00 (hardcover)
- Books a Million – $17.97 (paperback)
20. “Happy Healthy Gut”
“Happy Healthy Gut: The Plant-Based Diet Solution to Curing IBS and Other Chronic Digestive Disorders” by Jennifer Browne is a vegan gut health book that urges us to take more responsibility for our own health.
This plant-based diet plan provides insights into why this kind of diet might be the only prescription we need for a healthier tummy and body.
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- It’s an informative book written in a humorous way that keeps you engaged from page 1.
- This page-turner is highly informative and provides a new take on things or common knowledge that we often just take for granted.
Where to buy:
- Books a Million – $17.99 (paperback)
- Indie Bound – $17.99 (paperback)
- Amazon – $1.95 (hardcover, used); $17.49 (paperback); $1.99 (Kindle ebook)
21. “The Gut Stuff”
Written by Alana and Lisa Macfarlane, known as the “Mac Twins,” “The Gut Stuff: An Empowering Guide To Your Gut & Its Microbes” explores the wonderful and interesting world of microbes.
The twins had participated in the British Gut Project and discovered that despite sharing the exact same DNA, they only share about 40% of the same microbiota. Interesting, right?
Here’s why it is worth reading:
- There are many things to learn in this awesome book, and it’s interesting to read about the twins’ story. It simply shows that our diets can have a big impact on our lives.
- In this book, the twins also explore and explain the links between our gut and important aspects of our sleeping patterns, mental health, and even our skin.
Where to buy:
- Author’s website (shop.thegutstuff.com) – £15.00 (around $16.18)
- Indigo – $26.95 (hardcover)
- Barnes and Noble – $19.95 (hardcover)
- Harper Collins – $15.96 (hardcover); $12.99 (ebook)
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.