Shockingly high amount of Americans will have summer travel plans ruined by illnesses: research

One in four Americans will have their summer travel plans ruined by illness this year, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 Americans found 27% of respondents said digestive upset interferes with their ability to enjoy traveling in the summer — threatening to ruin potentially millions of trips this summer.

Forty-two percent of participants said they have gut health issues and 38% experience some form of digestion problem, such as constipation or bloating, when they travel.

The survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of NBPure pinpointed how worrying about gut issues can impact people and found many are understandably cautious in their behavior.

In fact, 26% of Americans won’t try new foods while on vacation, while over a third (36%) make menu and meal choices based on how they think their stomach will cope. 

Forty percent said they even have to pick restaurants or make plans based on bathroom proximity (40%).

The fear of digestive mishaps or discomfort while traveling is so prevalent that half (49%) bring supplements, snacks or medicine with them to help reduce the chances of a travel nightmare.

“It’s clear that digestive health isn’t just a private matter — it’s a driving force behind everyday decisions, from what we eat to where we go and those considerations are only exacerbated when traveling,” said Danna Pratte, Founder & CEO of NBPure. “People are tuning into their bodies more than ever to ensure their trips aren’t derailed by gut issues.”

And it’s of course not just while traveling that our guts are on our minds — the average respondent said they avoid certain foods because of how they affect their stomach 10 times per month. 

They’ll also avoid or decline invitations or change a location due to digestive issues twice per month on average, according to results.

From graduations to auditions to missing flights, one in five (20%) say they’ve even missed a key milestone in their life due to gut-related issues.

But, many are taking action to manage their gut health, 69% said they take proactive steps to avoid future discomfort, with over a third (36%) doing this often. 

On the bright side, taking action can really pay off — one in five (21%) thinks their digestive health has improved in the last 12 months.

And the more that stigma is removed from digestive issues, the more people feel comfortable addressing their gut health.

Fifty-five percent of those surveyed said they were comfortable discussing digestive health with friends or family.

“These findings highlight just how much digestive health shapes our daily lives — often in ways we don’t even realize,” added Pratte. “From the foods we choose to the plans we make, gut discomfort can be a quiet but powerful influence. The more we talk about it, the more empowered people feel to take steps toward feeling better.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans (1,000 women and 1,000 men); the survey was commissioned by NBPure and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 6 – May 12, 2025.