Débora Nuevo, a microbiota specialist, on her imbalance: "You have to loosen your belt after eating almost anything."

An unbalanced gut microbiota can manifest itself with symptoms that alter quality of life , and, according to Dr. Débora Nuevo, one of the most obvious is the need to unbuckle your belt after eating almost any food : "You have to unbuckle your belt after eating almost anything." This seemingly harmless sign may be warning of a much deeper problem related to the state of the gut and its bacterial flora.

The microbiota expert, in collaboration with the Quirónsalud group , has detailed in a TikTok video the five most common indicators of this imbalance. The first is immediate abdominal bloating , a discomfort that generates a feeling of excessive fullness even if you have only eaten minimally. "It feels like you've eaten a stew in three courses, and maybe you haven't even started the soup," explains the doctor, emphasizing how alarming these types of reactions are.

Common symptoms of an altered microbiota

The second symptom is the appearance of intolerances to foods that were previously well tolerated . Débora Nuevo mentions gluten, lactose , fructose, and even alcohol as substances that can begin to cause discomfort without warning. Added to this are digestive disturbances such as recurrent constipation and diarrhea , with irregular patterns that range from not having a bowel movement for days to having one several times in a few hours.

Furthermore, the specialist points to the fourth symptom, extreme fatigue after meals , as another warning sign. This postprandial fatigue is not only due to the amount of food, but also to the effort the body makes to digest without the help of a balanced microbiota. Finally, she highlights repeated infections , such as frequent colds , urinary tract infections, or candidiasis , as another consequence of the deterioration of the immune system related to the gut.

"Is any of this already happening to you?" the doctor asks at the end of the video, inviting reflection on one's own digestive health. Faced with these symptoms, she suggests checking the state of one's microbiota and seeking professional solutions . Débora Nuevo's message focuses on the importance of listening to the body's signals and acting before intestinal imbalances lead to bigger problems.