The Summer Edition I: the holistic benefits of a healthy gut

The Summer Edition I: the holistic benefits of a healthy gut

One of the best things about the long and (if you’re lucky) languorous summer days is that it affords you more time to read. While we’re all for indulging in an occasional trashy romance novel from the safety of our Kindles, we also think of summer as the perfect time to embrace new ideas and ways of thinking. With that in mind, we’re thrilled to present some words of wisdom from a trio of our eternally-inspiring friends. You can find parts 2 and 3 here and here.

First up is Jules Miller, founder of The Nue Co.. The Nue Co. make supplements from real food – you won’t find any chemicals or fillers in their products, just organic ingredients that you can trust to really make a difference. Here, Jules shares some illuminating information about the difference a healthy gut makes, along with some tips on how to keep yours as ship-shape as possible.

One of the most common concerns that we hear about is bloating, why are some people more susceptible to this than others?

There is a multitude of different reasons as to why some people are more susceptible to bloating than others. Short-term it can usually be traced to over-indulgence, food intolerence, or PMS, but systemic discomfort can be indicative of a more serious underlying issue, like IBS. Studies have shown that women are at a higher risk of developing IBS than males and someone with a family history of it is two times more likely to report symptoms. Lifestyle factors—like being overweight, not exercising, and getting too little sleep—can also contribute to bloating.

Is bloating linked to our gut health?

The short answer is yes. Gas retention from a leaky gut and inflammation can both cause bloating. The good news is that it’s not hard to treat. Prebiotics and probiotics go a long way in helping repair internal damage and repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria.

We know that gut health is super important but can you sum up why?

Good health starts in the gut so when you take good care of it, the rest of you will thrive naturally. Scientific studies into it are still on-going, but the connection between a healthy gut and nearly every aspect of human health is becoming clearer each year. Among many other things, good gut bacteria can improve digestion, boost the immune system, and ensure that your body is getting the vitamins it needs to stay healthy.

How do we know if we have a healthy gut? What are the tell-tale signs that our gut isn’t happy?

The most obvious symptoms are digestive issues like bloating, constipation, acid reflux, and gas, but poor gut health can also show itself in moodiness, sugar cravings, skin problems, increased food sensitivities, and bad
breath. More research is emerging linking poor gut health to autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

What are the best foods to eat if you are prone to bloating?

High doses of anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger have been proven to help break up intestinal gas and trigger digestive enzymes. It’s also important to ensure that you’re getting an adequate amount of protein and fiber, from high-quality sources. Always opt for organic food wherever possible.

And what foods should we avoid?

It varies for each individual, but most people do well to avoid consuming processed foods and too much alcohol, caffeine, soy, and poor- quality dairy, gluten, and meat.

What’s the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?

Put simply, prebiotics feed the existing good bacteria in your gut and encourage it to thrive. A prebiotic acts like a fertilizer that promotes growth of the good bacteria already in your gut. They are available from plants such as chicory, asparagus and yams. Probiotics are live bacteria delivered to your gut - they help to repopulate and rebalance your microbiome. Live pProbiotics are readily available in fermented products such as sauerkraut and kefir.


Our 10-day ‘Summer Set’ package includes ‘Debloat Food and Prebiotics from the Neu Co. If you fancy giving your body a real summer holiday, you can head over here to find out more about the meals and other (totally free) special gifts included.