The key to living a happier, healthier life is inside us.

Our gut is almost as important to us as our brain or our heart, yet we know very little about how it works. In Gut, Giulia Enders shows that rather than the utilitarian and -- let's be honest -- somewhat embarrassing body part we imagine it to be, it is one of the most complex, important, and even miraculous parts of our anatomy. And scientists are only just discovering quite how much it has to offer; new research shows that gut bacteria can play a role in everything from obesity and allergies to Alzheimer's.

Beginning with the personal experience of illness that inspired her research, and going on to explain everything from the basics of nutrient absorption to the latest science linking bowel bacteria with depression, Enders has written an entertaining, informative health handbook. Gut definitely shows that we can all benefit from getting to know the wondrous world of our inner workings.

In this charming book, young scientist Giulia Enders takes us on a fascinating tour of our insides. Her message is simple -- if we treat our gut well, it will treat us well in return. But how do we do that? And why do we need to? Find out in this surprising, and surprisingly funny, exploration of the least understood of our organs.

Read Caroline Baum's Review

This is my favourite science book in ages. And it's about the most exciting new area of research in medicine; the microbiome - or, to put it more bluntly, the bacteria in your gut: the good flora and the bad bugs. Enders answers all the questions that usually prompt embarrassment or crude jokes about bodily functions involving the intestine and bowel, and it's written in very entertaining, accessible, jargon-free language.

Just two examples of its many fascinating facts: you need your appendix more if you live somewhere like Spain or India, because it is a frontline weapon when it comes to food poisoning. And did you know that there is a pain-killer in our saliva that is more powerful than morphine?

Those with gluten and fructose intolerances will find much to explain their conditions, but you don't need to be suffering from anything other than a mild dose of curiosity to enjoy this.

About the Author

Giulia Enders is a two-time scholarship winner of the Heraeus Foundation, and is doing research for her medical doctorate at the Institute for Microbiology in Frankfurt. In 2012, her presentation of Gut won her first prize at the Science Slam in Berlin, and went viral on YouTube.

'A publishing sensation that... sets out to free toilet talk from its taboo.';-The Times;;'Enders' gut manifesto calls on its readers to celebrate their lower bodies' achievements, rather than apologise for them.';-Guardian;;'[Enders] is utterly, charmingly obsessed with the gut, gut bacteria and poo. She writes and talks about her subject matter with such childlike enthusiasm it's infectious ... The perfect toilet book.';- Annalisa Barbieri, Guardian;;'Giulia Enders has a warm and simple prose style and her sister's illustrations are delightful.';- William Cook, Spectator;;'Giulia Enders takes a no-nonsense approach to bodily functions ... [Gut] reads like a breeze ... you can totally see why it's been massive.';- Grazia;;'[Enders is] a publishing sensation ... There is something compelling and refreshing about her curiosity and popular approach.';- Simon Usbourne, Independent;;'Enders's wonder at the strange ways of the gut is matched only by her incredulity at the limited public knowledge on the subject.';- The New York Times;;'This primer is everything you ever wanted to know about the gut (and then some), chattily and accessibly written in a uniquely Millennial and matter of fact way. An unexpected page turner. ... Her excitement about the subject matter is infectious. The fun yet informative black and white drawings throughout are her sister's handiwork. Refreshingly devoid of recipes, or any self help-y language.';- Self Magazine;;'[Gut] had me laughing aloud.';- Debora MacKenzie, New Scientist;;'The revelation that each of us depends on our individual living world, with far more inhabitants than there are people on earth, is surely sensational.';- Clive Cookson, Financial Times;;'Enders, a German research microbiologist, obviously adores her subject matter ... [her] project is to show how those essential functions of the human body that some people may consider unseemly or unspeakable are in fact wondrous and worthy of exultation.';- Karen Hitchcock, Weekend Australian;;'The world's most surprising page-turner.';- Anna Murphy, The Times;;'Like farmers, we can foster the right microbial balance by introducing better breeds into the resident stock in our gut world; we can even, it seems, manage our moods and mend our minds ... Each note reinforces her message that feeling miserable can be just as much about how the gut is performing as the state of our neurotransmitters ... Enders is particularly good at explaining why the gut is the body's largest sensory organ and how it works co-operatively with the brain to stabilise our emotional lives.';- Gail Bell, Sydney Morning Herald;;'A hugely informative and also entertaining look at a part of the body that we should stop ignoring.';- Country Living;;'If you only buy one health book this year make it this one. It's educational, funny and a breeze to read. Get to grips with your gut!';- Signes Johansen, author of Secrets of Scandinavian Cooking: Scandilicious;;'Gut has more to offer than potty-language and a sense of humor ... It's hard not to be awed by Enders' vast knowledge of anatomy and microbiology and share her fascination with the 100 trillion tiny creatures in our tummies.';- Beauty and Wellbeing

Paperback 261 pages