A major new study has confirmed something many families have long suspected: children with autism are far more likely to struggle with ongoing digestive problems than their peers.
And this discomfort negatively affects other areas of life.
The research, published in Autism, showed that children with autism who experienced digestive distress also faced greater challenges with sleep, communication, sensory processing, and behaviour.
In other words, the state of the gut was shaping the texture of daily life - how rested a child felt, how they interacted, even how they experienced the world.
This study is about autism, but it points to a much wider truth: the gut is not just a means for digestion. It is a command centre, deeply wired into the other bodily systems like nervous system and immune system. When it’s inflamed or imbalanced, the whole person is affected.
The Gut–Brain Axis in All of Us
Digestive problems are not unique to children with autism. Across the population, rates of IBS, reflux, constipation, and bloating are climbing. Stress, processed food, environmental toxins, and antibiotics all take their toll.
We now know the gut is a “second brain,” home to trillions of microbes and a vast network of nerves. Signals constantly travel between gut and brain, shaping everything from appetite to anxiety. When the gut is unwell, sleep suffers, moods swing, and the immune system can disfunction.
That’s why this new autism study is so powerful. It shines a light on just how far-reaching gut discomfort can be. It doesn’t just cause pain, it changes how a person feels, behaves, and connects with others and the world.
Diet and Autism: The Food Connection
Research over the past decade has revealed that diet plays a significant role in how digestive issues show up in children with autism. Many parents notice that certain foods - particularly those containing gluten, casein (dairy proteins), or high amounts of processed carbs - seem to worsen symptoms.
Some studies suggest that these foods may be harder to digest in autistic children, producing peptides or inflammatory reactions that impact the gut lining and, through the gut–brain axis, the nervous system.
Others point to differences in gut microbiota, the community of bacteria and fungi that thrive in the intestines. When this balance is disrupted, it can influence not just digestion but also mood, sleep, and sensory processing.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all diet for autism, many families find improvements through careful nutritional approaches:
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Reducing processed foods and artificial additives.
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Emphasising whole, nutrient-dense, home-cooked meals.
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Exploring elimination diets under professional guidance (e.g., gluten-free, casein-free, keto).
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Supporting the microbiome with supplements like prebiotics and probiotics.
What’s clear is that food matters. The gut is in constant conversation with the brain, and what we eat is the primary language it speaks. For children with autism, dietary care can be a powerful way of easing discomfort and unlocking greater wellbeing.
Mushrooms as Allies for Digestive Health
This is where functional mushrooms come in. For thousands of years, they’ve been seen as powerful tools for balance, and modern science is finally catching up.
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Prebiotic nourishment: Mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides like beta-glucans, which feed beneficial gut bacteria and help build a resilient microbiome.
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Calming inflammation: Compounds in many mushrooms help soothe the gut lining and reduce chronic inflammation that drives discomfort.
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Immune harmony: By modulating the immune system, mushrooms can ease the cycle of overreaction and stress that fuels both digestive and systemic issues.
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Knock-on benefits: Better digestion ripples outward - improved sleep, steadier mood, stronger focus, and more energy.
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GLP-1 sctivation: Studies have also found that beta-glucan stimulates GLP-1 release in the gut, which is the same hormone targeted by drugs like Ozempic. This suggests it may naturally help regulate appetite and blood sugar as an alternative to prescription medication.
I like to think of mushrooms as natural mediators. They don’t just act in one place. They work holistically, helping the gut and brain (and other bodily systems) talk to each other more clearly.
Read: Why Are Mushrooms So Good For Your Gut?
A Path Forward
For children with autism, persistent gut issues can mean days filled with discomfort, restless nights, and added hurdles in communication and learning. For all of us, ignoring the gut’s signals can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and disconnection.
But there is hope. By paying attention to the gut - nourishing it, calming it, supporting it with natural allies like mushrooms - we can unlock resilience that spreads through every part of life.
At Mushies, we believe in this broader view of health: that nature holds tools to help us restore balance, clarity, and connection. Functional mushrooms aren’t a cure-all, but they are part of a growing movement to support the gut-brain axis naturally.
If you’d like to explore this path, dive into our resources, try our mushroom extracts or coffee blends, and join us in rediscovering the ancient link between digestion, mind, and wellbeing.
Because when the gut speaks, the whole body listens.
Study: A longitudinal evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder
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