Hand temperature: A window into your gut and nervous system

Hand temperature and gut health

Hand temperature reflects gut health by influencing circulation, thermoregulation, and the autonomic nervous system, linked to the gut microbiome’s role in body temperature regulation.

Gut as an internal thermostat

Animal studies show that disrupting gut bacteria can lower core body temperature, suggesting the gut acts like an internal thermostat affecting body warmth.

Warm hands indicate good health

Warm hands usually signal good peripheral circulation, balanced autonomic function, and healthy thermoregulation, which are tied to a healthy gut.

Cold hands may signal issues

Cold hands may indicate poor blood flow, stress, or metabolic imbalance, often linked to gut dysbiosis or autonomic dysfunction.

Emotional and energy links

Hand temperature can reflect emotional and nervous system states; cold hands suggest constriction and stress, warm hands suggest vitality and balance.

Cold hands and other causes

Cold hands might stem from thyroid issues or autonomic dysfunction in IBS patients, but not necessarily caused by IBS itself.

Warm hands and related conditions

Warm, reddish hands may relate to digestive problems or other conditions like hyperthyroidism, fibromyalgia, or neuroendocrine disorders.

Other hand signs linked to gut health