The 3 p.m. slump may not necessarily be due to a sugar-related 'crash,' but could instead be a sign of systemic inflammation linked to your gut health.

noli's read

The idea that persistent fatigue, including daytime energy dips, is linked to intestinal inflammation and the microbiome is an active area of research. The connection between the gut and the brain (the gut-brain axis) is scientifically established, and studies suggest that dysbiosis or intestinal inflammation can influence energy levels via immune and metabolic responses. However, the 3 p.m. 'crash' is very often clinically correlated with blood glucose fluctuations (a sugar spike followed by a drop), a well-documented cause. Dr. Bulsiewicz offers a more holistic view by highlighting that chronic inflammation can predispose one to this type of exhaustion, even in the absence of a sugary meal. While this microbiome-centered approach is supported by observations regarding the role of bacterial metabolites and the intestinal barrier, it remains one explanation among others rather than the exclusive cause of post-prandial fatigue. It is therefore prudent to view intestinal inflammation as a potential contributing factor rather than the sole explanation.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.