Are you in a Gut Rut?
Have you ever been told to “go with your gut”?
Then you know the feeling of needing to rely on your second-brain!
This relatively new understanding of the brain-gut connection is helping to revolutionise how we view the relationship between digestion, mood, health and even the way we think!
Our gut contains trillions of bacteria, the microbiome, which are responsible for both digestive health, as well as our overall wellness. So, in a nutshell, if your gut-health is less than optimum, chances are the rest of your body will be out of sorts as well!
Leanne & Fitness Tips Say:
Eating a diet containing pre-biotic rich vegetables and pro-biotic fermented foods every day may improve your mood, promote weight loss and reduce cholesterol!!
So, what are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are nondigestible carbs, or soluble fibres that are naturally occurring. They nourish the growth of certain beneficial bacteria. All prebiotics are fibre, but not all fibres are prebiotics. The health benefits of prebiotics are still being looked into, but studies suggest that taking them can:
- Reduce the prevalence and duration of infectious, traveller’s and antibiotic associated diarrhea
- Reduce inflammation and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease
- Protect against colon cancer
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live, active bacteria or yeasts, using lactose to prevent harmful bacteria from growing and competing with nasty bugs.
Health benefits of probiotics are:
- Weight loss and prevention of obesity are linked to the consumption of probiotics
- Beneficial bacteria may also improve athletic performance
- May reduce anxiety
What to eat – Prebiotic foods:
- Raw chicory root
- Jerusalem artichoke
- Raw dandelion greens
- Raw leeks
- Raw onions
What to eat – Probiotic foods;
- Yoghurt (only yoghurts stamped with ‘live and active cultures’)
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Miso
- Kombucha tea
