The holidays are here, and familiar melodies of holiday tunes inevitably play everywhere, setting the mood for the season. But did you know your favorite holiday songs might do more than lift your spirits? They could be orchestrating a symphony in your gut, conducting a harmonious ballet of beneficial bacteria. Let's 'unwrap' this further to explore how the season's soundtrack can help impact your well-being from the inside out.
Tune into the gut-brain-music connection
The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract, plays a crucial role in our overall health1. Interestingly, music has been shown to significantly impact this axis, potentially altering the composition and function of our gut microbiota.1
When you hum along to a modern classic like "White Christmas" or a popular new holiday favorite like “Christmas Tree Farm,” your brain's reward system lights up, stimulating the production of dopamine and serotonin, the "feel-good" hormones.2 This joyful response doesn't just stay in your head; it cascades through your body, stimulating the vagus nerve and potentially influencing your gut microbes.
Deck your gut with beneficial bacteria
Studies have shown that exposure to music can surprisingly influence the gut microbiome. A study on mice demonstrated that music exposure increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria such as Firmicutes, while potentially harmful bacteria like Proteobacteria decreased.1 While this research wasn't specifically about "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," it suggests that the sounds we hear can have a tangible impact on our microbial communities.
Let holiday tunes help you stress less and digest better
The holiday season can sometimes feel like a pressure cooker, but your festive playlist could be your secret weapon against stress. Holiday music might serve as a buffer against stress, which is known to negatively affect gut health. Research has shown that listening to music can decrease cortisol levels, a key stress hormone.3 Lower stress levels can help maintain a healthy gut barrier and promote a diverse microbiome.
Improve your digestion with the classic, familiar tunes
When you experience joy and relaxation while listening to an instrumental or sentimental classic like "The Nutcracker Suite" or “Let it Snow,” your body may enter a "rest and digest" state. A state of relaxation is optimal for nutrient absorption and healthy gut function. Additionally, the rhythmic nature of music has been linked to improved gut motility and can aid in digestion.4
Strengthen your immune system
Music can also support your body's health systemically. Research has shown that music can enhance immune function. A systematic review revealed that music exposure can increase salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) levels, a crucial component of our mucosal immune system.5 This boost in immunity could be particularly beneficial during the winter months when cold and flu viruses are more prevalent.
Avoid the holiday blues with a balanced musical diet
While holiday music can have many positive effects, it's important to consider potential pitfalls. Overexposure to holiday music, especially in retail environments, can lead to mental fatigue and stress for some individuals.6 And just like nutrition, music preference is personalized, and the same song may inspire a positive experience for one person, but a negative trigger for another individual based on their unique history, culture, psychology, and preferences. This stress could disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome. The key is balance—curate your holiday playlist like you would your nutritional intake. Variety is the spice of life, after all!
Orchestrate your holiday health
Holiday music can be more than just background noise—it can be a powerful tool for supporting our gut health and overall well-being. By intentionally incorporating music into our routine holiday rituals and paying attention to how our bodies respond, we can trigger a symphony of positive hormonal responses and experience health that resonates from our ears to our gut microbiome.
Remember, balance is the key to a healthy gut during the holidays—and all year round—. Just as a well-composed piece of music requires a balance of notes and rhythms, your gut health thrives on a balance of beneficial microbes, nourishing foods, and positive experiences.7 So, as you deck the halls, trim the tree, or run around all day long with the season's business, remember to press play on your holiday playlist. Your gut will thank you, and you might just find yourself whistling a healthier tune well into the New Year.
