Nurture Your Gut
Let’s make 2021 the year of health and wellbeing by kickstarting the new year with mindful choices that support your immune and digestive systems. Good gut health is crucial in maintaining optimal health because the health of the gut is linked to our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
So, what keeps the gut healthy and how can I keep my gut healthy? To restore gut health, we need to consider our nutrition and lifestyle choices. Read on as our buyers and in-house experts; Aurelia, Alison & Sophie, review their top picks, so that you know how to have a healthy gut and how to strengthen your gut.
Aurelia, our Health & Bodycare Buyer, highlights how to improve gut health using:
Rhythm Life Shot 100 billion 30 day Course 30x100ml
“I’m taking a course of Rhythm Life Shot myself post-Christmas to restore my gut health. It’s a fantastic probiotic, brewed with living coconut kefir cultures, making it vegan-friendly. Have a shot first thing in the morning for five days to improve gut bacteria.”
Pukka Aloe Vera Juice 1 litre
“Aloe vera is fantastic for building gut health as it nourishes and hydrates the gut. Try adding 90ml of Pukka’s organic aloe vera juice to your morning juice or smoothie for a hydrating boost of gut microbes.”
Erbology Artichoke Inulin Powder
“Jerusalem artichoke is a fantastic source of prebiotic-fibre to improve intestinal health. Fibre is crucial to balance your gut bacteria as it’s essential for digestion and gets everything moving faster through the gut. Add 2-3 teaspoons to supercharge soups or smoothies.”
To foster a healthy microbiome, it's recommended you eat a wide variety of foods, so Alison, our Grocery Buyer, explores different foods good for gut health.
Willy's Apple Cider Vinegar With The Mother 1L
“Willy’s apple cider vinegar is made using organic apples from their ancient Herefordshire orchard and contains the mother culture - which is where the gut-loving bacteria are, which is why it is one of the best gut foods. Start the day with 2 tablespoons in warm water with a squeeze of lemon and a little honey.”
Improving your diet to ensure you have healthy gut bacteria could also improve your overall health. Balancing your gut bacteria may seem overwhelming, so Sophie our Fresh Foods Buyer has shared a her top good bacteria foods below that will help to improve gut bacteria in your stomach.
Shimmy Shimmy Coconut - Coconut Kefir Yoghurt Alternative 500g
“This must be added to your good gut bacteria list as when you taste this yoghurt, you’ll know it’s alive. It’s made from fermented coconut and is brimming with live bacteria that’s great to improve gut microbiota. I love spooning on top of a bowl of cacao porridge.”
Nourish Goat’s Kefir 500ml
“Other gut friendly foods are this authentic kefir, which is made in small batches with live kefir grains for billions of gut-supporting bacteria. You can taste the goodness – it’s sour and zingy with no added sugar, as it should be. This is one of my favourite foods to restore gut bacteria. Goat’s milk has smaller fat particles than cow’s milk which makes it easier to digest too.”
Barrel & Bone Vegan Kimchi 475g
“I love this live kimchi as it’s not too spicy and super versatile for adding good gut bacteria foods to your meals. Layer in a sourdough sandwich or make a kimchi omelette for high-fibre and bacteria-rich lunch. If you want to know how to increase good bacteria in your gut naturally, remember to build up your intake of fermented foods, starting with a spoonful a day.”
