It was a typical Monday morning, and a team lead at her company noticed she was not feeling her usual energy. Her stomach felt a little off, she was sluggish, and coffee after coffee wasn’t helping. She laughed it off thinking it was “just one of those days” but by midweek, she realized these small discomforts had been creeping in more often than she remembered.
Her experience is not unique.
Digestive issues quietly affect millions of employees every year, and they create real costs for both people and businesses. A 2024 workplace survey conducted by The Harris Poll found that 71% of U.S. workers experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as bloating and gas to constipation and heartburn at least a few times a month. Nearly one third have been medically diagnosed with a GI condition. Among those affected, 72% reported reduced productivity at work, and almost 60% said they had missed work, arrived late, or left early because of their symptoms.
These health challenges also carry a financial weight. According to a 2025 study published in Gastroenterology and reported by UNC Health, health care expenditures for gastrointestinal diseases in the United States reached about $111.8 billion in 2021, making digestive conditions a major contributor to overall medical spending. Employees with GI issues tend to cost employers three to eight times more in healthcare than their peers without digestive problems. Yet the encouraging news is that many of these challenges are preventable or manageable with simple, everyday habits, starting with hydration.
Hydration is often underestimated, yet it’s critical. Every stage of digestion relies on proper fluid intake. Water helps soften stool, aids regular bowel movements, and creates the right environment for beneficial gut bacteria to thrive. In short, when we hydrate well, digestion flows more smoothly, energy levels are steadier, and the body is better equipped to handle stress and everyday challenges. Even mild dehydration can make digestion sluggish, cause bloating, or trigger discomfort. The fix is simple and preventive, drink water consistently, not just when you feel thirsty.
Turn these wellness insights into action. Here’s how you put simple hydration and gut-friendly habits into practice across the workplace.
Place hydration stations and infuser bottles around the office to make it easy for employees to sip water throughout the day.
Send quick reminders in team chats and shared spaces to encourage employees to take regular hydration breaks.
Share gut-friendly tips in internal newsletters, such as pairing hydration with fiber-rich meals, moving after long periods of sitting, and managing stress.
Have managers lead by example by taking hydration breaks and sharing their experiences.
Use the initial success to expand wellness initiatives, integrating hydration, movement, and gut-friendly habits into broader employee programs that improve health and productivity across the organization.
The opportunity is simple. Lead by example, share advice, and make hydration visible and accessible. Start small. Launch a hydration awareness week in your team, host a fun water challenge, or share a simple story about your own gut health habits. Every sip counts. And the ripple effect on productivity and engagement can be bigger than you think.
