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,...