Summer is traditionally associated with vacations, warm evenings on terraces and refreshing alcoholic cocktails with ice. When we talk about the harm of alcoholic beverages, most people immediately think of the liver or cardiovascular system.

After the festive feasts are over, most of us face unpleasant consequences: a feeling of heaviness, flatulence (bloating), bowel disorders and the appearance of a few extra pounds. The traditional reaction to this condition is to try to abruptly go on a strict diet, organize a "detox" or start blindly counting calories.

Modern science considers the gastrointestinal tract (GI) not just as a tube for digesting food, but as the most important "superorgan" of our body. The intestines are home to at least 75% of the body's immune structures and cells, which continuously interact with trillions of microorganisms - our microbiome. It is this delicate symbiosis that ensures immune stability and tolerance to various antigens.

Holidays, family gatherings, and spring and summer picnics are traditionally associated with joy and relaxation. However, for our gastrointestinal tract (GI), this period often turns into a real test. Consuming large amounts of processed foods, meat, fried foods, sweets, and alcohol leads to a feeling of heaviness, flatulence (bloating), heartburn, and bowel movements.

We’re used to popping a probiotic capsule after a course of antibiotics or when we’re feeling bloated, hoping for quick relief. But have you ever wondered what exactly happens when billions of live bacteria enter your digestive tract? It’s not just “magic” or blindly populating an empty space. There’s a complex, multi-level interaction going on inside us at the cellular and molecular levels.