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Gut health is the talk of the town, whether on social media or in real life, but unlike fad diets and other health trends, there is merit to #guthealth’s traction. With over 80% of our immune system lying in the gut, researchers have unveiled gut microbes' influence on our overall health. At GoodnessMe, we’re big preachers of supporting your gut, so we’re here to help uncover and answer all the ‘whys’ when it comes to the gut, the confusing conversation around pre and probiotics and ways to flourish our microbiome!
What is the gut microbiome?
The gut microbiome is the ecosystem of the gut. Made up of 100 trillion microorganisms, that live in our gastrointestinal tract; the long tube that starts at your mouth and ends at your bottom. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just our stomach.
Our gut is responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, protecting us from pathogens and eliminating waste. Yes, that kind of waste..💩
Why should we be supporting our gut microbiome?
Many people may associate gut health with the absence or presence of gut-related symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhoea, or constipation. While these are certainly indicators, they don't paint the full picture. Our gut microbiome affects everything from our hormones, mental health, skin, brain function, energy and immunity!
Numerous factors influence the composition of our gut microbiome, including our food choices, lifestyle choices, medications, supplements, and exposure to environmental toxins.
On a more serious note, studies have found that individuals with chronic conditions are more likely to have an imbalanced gut microbiome than healthy individuals, which is why maintaining a healthy gut is crucial for overall health and well-being.
What are pre & probiotics & the difference between them?
While they may sound similar, probiotics and prebiotics serve different roles in supporting our gut health. Probiotics are living microorganisms ("good gut bugs") that help our digestive system. They can be found in gut health supplements or naturally occurring in fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, yoghurt, miso, and kimchi.
Prebiotics are fibrous plant-based foods that cannot be broken down by our gut but pass through the upper digestive tract. They act as food for the good gut bugs, supporting their growth and functions within our body. Examples of prebiotic-rich foods include garlic, green bananas, whole grains, and apples.
Tips for finding all-natural pre and probiotics
Finding an all-natural prebiotic and probiotic product can be challenging, as many brands use health-promoting terms on their labels yet contain multiple additives and a low probiotic dosage. Let's take the Yakult “probiotic drink” as an example. This 65 ml bottle is made with reconstituted milk powder, flavouring and two types of sugar equivalent to 1 whole tablespoon.
Similarly, Nature’s Way Restore probiotic gummies, found in many supermarkets, have sugar alcohols, added colours, flavours, and an acidity regulator, with only 1.26% probiotics. Another example is Swisse probiotic + prebiotic gummies for gut health, which contain acidity regulators, stabilisers, added flavours, and colours, with only 0.59% probiotics.
Therefore, it's important to carefully read ingredient labels and look beyond marketing claims to ensure you're selecting a product that truly aligns with your health goals and preferences. At GoodnessMe, we understand how overwhelming and time-consuming deciphering labels can be which is why our nutritionists do this for you! Trust that every product on our shelves is free from nasty additives, and preservatives.
Picking the right pre & probiotic for you
For those seeking a healthier alternative to sugary soft drinks, Blume’s prebiotic drinks are a great option. These drinks are low in sugar and rich in gut-loving plant fibres. Available in refreshing flavours like raspberry lime, lemon yuzu ginger, and mango, they provide a tasty and nutritious alternative. We love the convenience of these prebiotic flavour bombs, all while kids can’t tell that they aren’t loaded with sugar because they taste delicious. Win-win!
Eden Health's Ultimate Biotic offers a convenient, shelf-stable option for supporting digestive health and achieving a healthy microbial balance. Each tub contains 15 strains of probiotics and includes 5 different prebiotic food sources to nourish the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
If you prefer to get your probiotics from food, options like miso, and sauerkraut are excellent choices. Ceres Organics' sauerkraut, made simply with organic cabbage and sea salt, is a delicious addition to meals and supports a healthy microbiome.
Similarly, Ceres Organics’ brown rice miso is naturally fermented and packed with probiotics and digestive enzymes, perfect for soups or recipes like miso eggplant hand rolls and miso pumpkin soup.
Funday’s lollies (not just for the kids!) are the perfect way to satisfy that sweet tooth and prebiotic intake without the sugar, alcohol, and gluten. These lollies are packed with 7g of fibre and made with all-natural ingredients.
An equivalent product for our chocolate lovers would be Gevity’s Sweet Guts choccy range. Did you know that just one block has 14g of fibre, more than your average broccoli serving but ten times more delish!
Our gut is one of the most important organs within our body, parallel to our brain. We wouldn’t get to savour all the yummy food without our gut turning it into energy and immunity power while flushing out what we don’t need. Pretty cool if you ask us foodies here at GoodnessMe! We want you to walk away understanding the importance of consuming all-natural pre and probiotics products, something we can help with thanks to our extensive range of goodies at www.goodnessme.com