Whats all the fuss about the gut microbiome?

It may be hard to believe but within our gut we have over 38 trillion bacteria – that’s over 2kg of bacteria in our gut!

Your microbiome is your unique bacteria fingerprint, it is made up of both friendly and less friendly bacteria.  The friendly bacteria (called probiotics) have many roles including helping us digest food, make vitamins and improve our immune system.

Gut dysbiosis, when the balance between of these bacteria is off, can increase our risk of infections, food intolerances and even certain diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes.

So how do you improve your gut microbiome?

Prebiotics – These feed our friendly bacteria.  Prebiotics are found in many foods especially those which are high in fibre – think fruit, veggies and wholegrains.

Fermented foods – Rich in probiotics, these foods add to the balance of good bacteria in our gut.  Fermented foods include kombucha, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut. At N&L we recommend fermented foods over probiotic supplements.

Food first, but supplements can help – It’s important to note that a varied diet is the best way to get all our nutrients, however, you can take probiotic supplements to give your gut that extra boost.

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Typically we don't recommend generic supplements or probiotics and if we do we recommend you get the right strain of probiotic or appropriate supplement based on the advice of a healthcare professional.

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While bacteria can cause illness others are so important to our health. Nourish your microbiota.

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What is the difference between your microbiome and the microbiota?

The microbiome refers to the collection of DNA or genome from all the microorganisms in the environment. In comparison, the microbiota can refer to all the microorganisms found in an environment, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

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Where can I find Kombucha in New Zealand?

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Kudos for the photo goes to the Daily Organics.  If you are interested in trying any other brands of kombucha try:

-       The Good Buzz

-       Renes Kombucha

-       Batchwell Earl Grey  (voted top flavour kombucha by metro in 2019)

-       Kombucha Bros

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Disclaimer : Kombucha can be an acquired taste so make sure to shop around to find your favourite brand! We are not associated with these brands and encourage you to do your own research.

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