Winter tends to change the way we eat, move, and feel—and, often, these shifts impact our digestion. As the frigid weather creeps in, you might notice you’re more bloated than usual, wake up feeling unusually sluggish, trend more towards constipation, or realize your system simply isn’t as predictable as it was a few months ago.
Nope, you’re not imagining it! A combination of some very real physiological shifts and changes in lifestyle can throw a wrench in your digestion during the winter.
The upside: You don’t need a total gut overhaul to feel better. With a few simple tweaks, you can support smoother digestion, experience less discomfort, and keep your microbiome happy through the season.
Ahead, experts break down exactly how winter affects your gut and share some realistic shifts that can help keep everything moving until spring.
- ABOUT OUR EXPERTS: Jenna Volpe, R.D.N., L.D., C.L.T., is a functional dietitian. Amanda Sauceda, M.S., R.D., is a gut health nutritionist.
Your Digestive System And The Cold
While your stomach and intestines don’t literally “slow down” when it gets colder outside, the drop in temperature does set off a series of physiological shifts that can indirectly influence how your gut feels, explains functional dietitian Jenna Volpe, R.D.N., L.D., C.L.T.
One key player is circulation. “When you’re exposed to cold temperatures, your body redirects blood flow toward your core organs to preserve heat,” Volpe says. Cold weather has been shown to constrict blood vessels, which may reduce circulation and indirectly slow digestion. “With less blood flow available to the digestive tract, processes like motility and enzyme secretion may feel less efficient,” she adds.
Early research also suggests cold exposure can influence the gut barrier, the protective lining that helps regulate digestion and immunity. In fact, one study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment found that animals exposed to cold temperatures developed higher blood pressure.
Additional research shows that cold exposure can also interact with the microbiome, or the microorganisms living inside the gut. That same animal study also found that rats exposed to cold experienced major shifts in their gut bacteria—specifically losing beneficial butyrate-producing microbes while gaining more potentially harmful ones, explains Volpe. One 2021 review also confirmed that changes in body temperature (from cold exposure, heat stress, fever, or even daily rhythms) can shift the balance of gut bacteria, affecting both the diversity and stability of the microbiome.
That said, despite the persistent myth that metabolism slows in the winter, rest assured that your inner engine continues to hum along normally, says Volpe. In fact, exposure to cold temperatures has been shown to induce thermogenesis, a naturally occurring process in which the body generates more heat to regulate its internal body temperature.
Winter Lifestyle Shifts Absolutely Impact Digestion
In addition to the direct impact cold weather has on our bodies, shifts in our eating habits and other routines can also throw off digestion this time of year.
It’s easy to chalk these things up to holiday meals or being “out of your routine,” but experts say colder weather itself plays a bigger role in gut changes than most people realize. While the basic processes of your digestive system still work the same whether it’s hot or cold outside, how you react to the weather can influence your digestion, explains
For instance, “when it starts to get cooler, we’re more likely to change how we eat and move our bodies, which can have a huge impact on digestion,” says gut health nutritionist, Amanda Sauceda, M.S., R.D.
Everything from the types of foods we gravitate towards (hello, hearty holiday meals!) to hydration, sunlight exposure, stress patterns, late-night festivities, and how often we get outside can make our digestion feel sluggish, the experts say.
“All of these play into how consistently (or unpredictably) your gut shows up for you this time of year,” suggests Volpe. “It’s not that winter ‘breaks’ your digestion, but the combination of colder temperatures, lifestyle changes, and holiday rhythms can create a perfect storm for bloating, sluggishness, and irregularity.”
Realistic Winter Tweaks to Support Your Gut
Small, steady changes can go a long way during the colder months. The following tweaks don’t require a regimen overhaul or strict plan, but still help your gut function better when temperatures drop and routines shift.
1. Stay hydrated
Believe it or not, it’s surprisingly easy to get dehydrated in the winter. “When it’s warm outside, thirst cues are louder, and water feels naturally appealing; but in colder weather, those built-in signals (like feeling thirsty or sweaty) fade into the background,” explains Volpe. “As a result, many people end up drinking far less than they realize.”
The issue is that hydration can be a major culprit for digestive comfort. “Water helps prevent constipation and keeps digestion moving,” Sauceda explains. “Without enough fluid, stools become drier, harder, and more difficult to pass. You might even notice visible signs like cracks or dryness in your poop along with extra bloating or discomfort.”
Read More: 8 Expert Tips For Nailing Your Hydration Game
If staying hydrated is a struggle for you in the winter, Volpe recommends reaching for herbal teas. Not only do they hydrate you, but they can also help reduce stress and promote relaxation. “Chamomile tea is calming and may also help your digestion by relaxing your body and easing tension in the gut,” she says. “Meanwhile, rooibos tea may help support a healthy gut lining.” You can also get more out of your sips by adding an electrolyte powder to your water bottle.
2. Reach for seasonal, warming foods
Your digestive system tends to prefer warm, cooked meals in the winter because they’re simply easier for your gut to break down, explains Volpe. “When food is already warm and softened, your stomach doesn’t have to work as hard to heat it up or mechanically break it apart,” she says. “That means less gas, less bloating, and smoother digestion overall.”
She recommends prioritizing warm, seasonal foods like soups, stews, roasted root vegetables, and winter squash to deliver fiber, nourishment, and steady energy. “Adding warming herbs and spices—like ginger, turmeric, garlic, cinnamon, and cumin—can also help support circulation and digestive secretions, making meals feel both comforting and easier to handle,” she adds.
3. Find seasonal ways to stay active
Your gut thrives on movement—even light or gentle movement. “Regular physical activity is strongly associated with better bowel regularity,” Volpe says. That doesn’t have to mean hour-long workouts or braving freezing temps. “A 10-minute walk, a quick mobility video, or a few strength exercises at home can help keep the digestive tract contracting in a healthy rhythm,” she shares. If you do enjoy winter activities like skating, skiing, or snowshoeing, even better! Just remember that moving consistently is more important than how exactly you move.
4. Eat familiar foods before parties
Sunday football buffets and Galentine’s Day often involve a parade of foods that are richer or heavier than your usual meals. To give your stomach the best shot at handling the night well, Sauceda recommends anchoring yourself with something simple and familiar beforehand. “A small meal or snack that agrees with you gives your gut a stable foundation,” she says. “This way, you’re not going into a big dinner with an already aggravated or unhappy gut.” Try a piece of toast with nut butter, a small bowl of soup, yogurt with fruit, or even a few crackers with cheese.
5. Take time to de-stress
Stress is one of the most underrated drivers of bloating, constipation, and general digestive discomfort, especially during an already chaotic season, warns Sauceda. “Even a few minutes of deep breathing, stretching, stepping outside, or doing something grounding can activate the body’s ‘rest and digest’ mode,” she says.
Read More: Is Eating More Protein The Solution To Your Stress?
To keep your digestion balanced, she recommends weaving small stress-relieving tactics in throughout the day. Try a five-minute walk, a quick stretch break between tasks, or simply putting your phone down and taking a few slow, deep breaths before meals. “These tiny pauses help calm the gut-brain connection and keep digestion running more smoothly,” Sauceda shares.
6. Try a vitamin D supplement
Though it might not seem related to your tummy, vitamin D is another factor worth paying attention to this time of year. “Lower vitamin D levels in winter may compromise both gut health and immune function,” Volpe explains. (Remember, sunlight is the body’s main source of vitamin D, so it’s common for levels to dip once the days get shorter and folks spend more time indoors.) “In fact, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a weakened gut barrier and shifts in the gut microbiome, which may help explain why people with conditions like IBS, IBD, and celiac disease often have lower vitamin D levels overall,” she adds.
If your vitamin D levels tend to run low or you live in a climate with long winters, consider asking your healthcare provider about testing and whether a supplement might help. “Most adults do well with 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day during the winter months,” Volpe says.