If you’ve ever woken up in the middle of the night with a burning sensation in your chest, chances are you’ve experienced heartburn. This annoying condition, that’s also commonly called indigestion or acid reflux, is caused by stomach acid rising back up into the oesophagus (throat) after you eat. Some people experience it very rarely, while others may have it persistently every day. The symptoms of heartburn can often be similar to that of a heart attack, so it’s important that you know the differences. In general, heartburn symptoms include1:...

Acid reflux – also known as heartburn – is a common ailment that many people experience from time to time. For some people, acid reflux can be caused by something as simple as overindulging. Other people experience acid reflux flare-ups whenever they eat certain trigger foods, which may need to be removed from the diet altogether. Although acid reflux is normal, it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing if it’s concurrent with symptoms like bloating or bad breath.1 In this article, we’ll explain the science behind acid reflux and reveal common...

We can all overindulge from time to time, causing ourselves discomfort and unwanted stomach ache.  Usually, it’s nothing to worry about and can be simple to address. To put your mind at rest, we have put together the following article that will go through stomach cramps, what causes them and how you can avoid them in the future. What are stomach cramps? It can be really worrying if you get stomach pains after eating. Stomach ache, stomach cramps, tummy ache or tummy cramps often refer to the same thing. It’s...

So, you’ve heard about probiotics, but what about prebiotics? If you’re unsure how prebiotics compare to probiotics, this article is for you. Keep reading for everything you need to know about prebiotics, including sources, health benefits, side effects and more. In this article, we will cover What are prebiotics and how do they differ to probiotics? Why do we need them? 20 of the best prebiotic foods Other ways to get prebiotics Are prebiotics suitable for everyone? What are prebiotics and how do they differ to probiotics? Read on to find out...

We’re entering the time of year of feasting and celebrating. This can take its toll on many aspects of health, not least the digestive system. Here we’ll give you some tips on how to look after your digestive health, specifically your microbiome. The Microbiome There are trillions of microscopic organisms in our gastrointestinal tracts that are collectively known as the microbiome. These organisms play a critical role in our health and well being. Each of us has a unique microbiome composed of a diverse range of organisms. What we eat...

What foods are good for gut health? Can bacteria really be good for you? Read on to find out more about the best foods for a healthy gut... 1. High-fibre foods High-fibre foods help to feed gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive and grow, important for improving and maintaining a healthy gut. Some nutritionist recommendations include: • Classic whole grains: brown rice, bread, pasta. • More unusual wholegrain sources: quinoa, amaranth. These are naturally gluten-free, have a pleasant nutty taste, and make a good alternative to rice or couscous. •...

  You may think you’re eating healthily and mindfully, but does your digestive system disagree? We look at what else could be going on…  We’re all aware of certain poor eating habits or types of food that are likely to cause digestive distress.  Bolting down lunch can result in an afternoon of bloating and flatulence; while a ‘who can eat the hottest curry’ competition could leave you locked behind the bathroom door with stomach problems.1,2  Sometimes, however, it’s less easy to work out what’s behind indigestion, heartburn, stomach ache or...

Good digestion means absorbing nutrients from the foods you eat – and for that, digestive enzymes are key.  Digestive enzymes are proteins released into the digestive system that help speed up the breakdown of food into easily absorbed nutrients that our bodies can use.  Discover why digestive enzymes could be the key to good digestion below.  Why do we need a healthy digestive system?  It's only by digesting our food properly that we can absorb all the nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy.  Symptoms of poor digestion include heartburn,...