What is gut health?
Gut health isn’t just your stomach - it’s your entire digestive system.
This starts in the mouth, through to the oesophagus, the stomach, and the large and small intestines.
Digestion begins in the mouth. When we salivate, we release digestive enzymes that start breaking food down straight away. This is why eating slowly and in a calm state is so important, it directly impacts how well we digest and absorb nutrients further down the line.
Alongside digestion, we also have the gut microbiome. This is home to trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live together in balance, keeping one another in check.
- We want diversity within the microbiome
- Diversity is built through the foods we eat, particularly a wide range of plant foods
- A more diverse gut is generally more resilient and supportive of overall health
Your gut plays a role in:
- Digestion and nutrient absorption
- Immunity, with a large part of the immune system based in the gut
- Mood, through communication with the brain
- Hormones, helping regulate and metabolise them
Signs your gut may need support
Poor gut health does not always show up as obvious digestive symptoms. It can be more subtle.
This might look like:
- Bloating
- Irregular digestion
- Low energy
- Skin issues
- Mood changes
Why gut health is foundational
The gut sits at the centre of multiple systems in the body.
- The gut and brain are in constant communication through the gut brain axis
- What we eat can influence mood, focus, and cognitive function
- Stress and emotions can also impact digestion and gut function
- The gut plays a key role in immune function
- It also supports hormone balance and metabolism
Supporting the gut often has a wider impact across energy, mood, skin, and overall health.
Because of this, many people look for simple, daily ways to support their gut - whether through diet, lifestyle, or targeted nutritional support.
Key foundations for gut health
Before anything more complex, it comes back to the basics:
- Fibre from a wide variety of plant foods
- Prebiotics to feed beneficial bacteria
- Probiotics to introduce beneficial bacteria
- Hydration to support digestion
- Eating habits, slowing down and chewing properly
Fibre and prebiotics explained
Fibre is a type of carbohydrate found in plant foods that we do not fully digest. Instead, it feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
- Supports diversity in the microbiome
- Helps regulate digestion
- Contributes to overall gut health
Fibre is found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Variety is key, as different fibres feed different types of bacteria.
Probiotics and prebiotics both support the gut in different ways:
- Probiotics- Which are the live bacteria. Found in foods with cultures such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi
- Prebiotics- Found in foods such as garlic, leeks, kiwi, and apples, helping to feed the beneficial bacteria already present
Supporting gut health in a simple way
While these foundations are key, consistency can be challenging.
For many people, adding a daily fibre or pre+probiotic blend is an easy way to support gut health alongside a balanced diet.
- Gut Feel - Fibre and gut support using green kiwifruit. Green kiwifruit is EFSA approved for its role in supporting normal bowel function by helping to increase stool frequency
- Pre + Probiotic - Pre and probiotic capsules using golden kiwi alongside Bacillus coagulans, a spore forming strain that is able to survive digestion and reach the gut alive
- Clean Greens - Broader nutritional support with a diversity of greens, providing a mix of seven different plant sources to support overall intake and gut diversity
Simple additions that fit into your routine - without overcomplicating things.
