cover image Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ

Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ

Giulia Enders, trans. from the German by David Shaw. Greystone Books (PGW, U.S. dist.; Univ. of Toronto, Canadian dist.). $19.95 trade paper (280p) ISBN 978-1-77164-150-0

Enders, a medical student, became fascinated with all things digestive after a roommate asked her about the mechanics of elimination. She discovered that the gut affects overall health far more than she thought. With a great sense of humor and ample enthusiasm, Enders explains everything readers did and didn't want to know about their innards. She describes the digestive journey of a piece of cake from eyes to outcome in graphic detail, showing how much more is involved than just the stomach and intestines. She explores the world of microbes to talk about the good (probiotics), the bad (germs), and the ugly (toxoplasma). Parasites feature as well, and after disgusting readers with the particulars, she kindly provides tips on how to avoid an infestation. Enders also includes advice on how to avoid constipation, how to lie in bed in case of bloating, and what to do for heartburn. She doesn't just state facts%E2%80%94she delves into the science behind them, which is eye-opening and humbling to learn about. With Harry Potter references, a Facebook analogy for understanding microbial food preferences, and zany drawings, this book defies boredom. (May)