Calcium is best known for its role in bone health, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction, but it does not directly contribute to digestion or gut health. While some calcium-containing foods, like yogurt and kefir, may benefit the gut due to their probiotic content, calcium itself doesn’t regulate bowel movements or support the microbiome like fiber does. In fact, excessive calcium supplementation can sometimes cause constipation. Confusing calcium with fiber might stem from the fact that many calcium-rich foods also contain other gut-friendly nutrients, but when it comes to improving digestive health, fiber is the nutrient to focus on.