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Gut health is on the rise and for good reason.  Our bodies are comprised of trillions of microscopic organisms with a huge chunk of these living in your gut. Made up of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, colon, and rectum, the gut plays a critical role in our wellbeing. While everybody will have their own unique gut microbiome made up of tens of trillions of microorganisms, including at least 1000 different species of known bacteria, diversity of these is key in supporting a healthy gut.

So how do you know if your gut is suffering?

While everybody is different and sign and symptoms vary, below are some of the most common ones you may experience which indicate an imbalance in your gut:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Food Cravings – especially Sugar
• Feelings of anxiety, depression, irritability and mood swings
• Skin issues such as eczema
• Sleep disturbances
• Autoimmune diseases
• Fatigue
• Food sensitivities
• Fluctuating weight
• Low Immune system
• Poor memory
• Joint pain
• Diabetes

So what causes an imbalance in your gut?

• Antibiotics and medication
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Inflammatory food such as sugar, processed/refined food, gluten and dairy
• Stress
• Diet low in fruit and vegetables
• Chronic infections

And what can you do to improve your gut health?

• Eat a variety of fibre rich fruit and vegetables every day
• Load up on leafy greens
• Prioritise sleep and aim for 7-8 hours per night
• Chew your food thoroughly and eat it slowly
• Reduce stress and invest in some mindfulness activities like deep breathing, walking in nature, meditation or even reading a good book
• Make water your number one drink of choice – pop in a slice of citrus or some mint leaves for a natural boost of flavour
• Work up a good sweat and get that body moving in a way that you enjoy
• Enjoy fermented food such as kimchi, sauerkraut and kombucha
• Incorporate a digestive aid like Ahi Cider to give your gut and immune system a boost

While research into the gut continues to grow, it is exciting to know that we can create a huge impact on our wellbeing by looking after it. As Hippocrates (Father of modern medicine) said ‘All disease begins in the gut’ so we better start taking good care of it!