Why Do I Feel Better When I’m in Europe?

This summer vacation season, we did something radical: my husband and I took a vacation, for an entire week. We left Ageless (my practice of hormone replacement, medical weight loss, sexual health and aesthetics) in the capable hands of our providers for the first time since we acquired the company almost two years ago. We went, of course, to Europe, and everything you hear is true: you feel better, you sleep better…even when you eat and drink everything you want.

The question is: why?  Why does the food seem so different in Europe? Why can I eat pasta there and feel fine, whereas pasta here makes me sluggish and bloated? So I did a little research and wanted to share it with you.

European wheat and processed foods are fundamentally different from what we’re used to in the United States. European countries often use traditional wheat strains (like spelt and einkorn) or soft wheat with lower gluten strength, while the US relies heavily on hard red wheat bread for higher gluten content and industrial baking. Because of this difference, our immune systems may not recognize gluten in Europe as the same thing as gluten in the US because the protein structure is different. And that leads to lower inflammation.

But it’s not just about the gluten. The EU bans many food additives and restricts pesticide use more tightly than the US. In general, Europe bans most food additives until they’ve been proven safe, whereas the US allows them until they’ve been proven harmful. For example, glyphosate (Roundup) is sometimes used in American wheat harvests but is largely banned in Europe.

Another factor Americans may not realize when traveling abroad is that European food can traditionally be prepared with different techniques. European breads and baked goods are often made using long fermentation (like sourdough), which can break down some gluten and make it easier to digest.

Also, when we’re traveling, we’re less likely to consume ultra-processed foods. I don’t know about you, but my protein bars, chips, and anything with a label usually stays in my suitcase while we eat meals abroad. Meals are more likely to be fresh, local, and minimally processed compared to the ultra-processed convenience foods common in the US. It’s unlikely that most American travelers will reach for as many pre-packaged foods on their vacations as we do when we’re home.

Finally, it’s not just about the food. On vacation, we’re having fun. We’re not stressed. The pressures of everyday life are physically inaccessible, and our bodies respond in kind with more biochemical resilience. Our stress hormones (like cortisol) reduce, we typically get better sleep, and we’re walking many miles per day without even trying – just to see something new. So of course we feel better!

Whether you’ve been abroad this summer or not, I hope had a wonderful summer and that you’ve taken some time for yourself.

In good health,

Gina