Gut Health - Fermented Foods and Why We Love Them
Gut Health - Fermented Foods and Why We Love Them
Gut to see you again!
We at Wype are into cleaning up down there, but there's more to keeping your bum clean than Wyping right! A job well done covers all the bases of the winding road that your poo has to travel before we give it a proper send-off, and your gut has a lot to do with how you feel, and the quality of your... output.
Like neighbours concerned with the proper upkeep of the building, we want that fire escape to be kept in tip top shape, even if we live on the ground floor!
It’s better to prevent, than to PIVOT.
First things first, check out our previous post touching upon our tousled friend, otherwise make yourself comfortable for a re-fresh!
The Gut. What is it? Where is it? What does it do?
In a brief (un)scientific explanation, the gut, also known as the gastrointestinal or digestive tract, is the long tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the butt (obviously our favourite body part).
Your gut is home to 100 trillion microorganisms, collectively known as the ‘microbiota’. The primary function of the gut is the digestion, absorption of nutrients and the excretion of waste. It also has a major influence on both the development and function of the immune system, as well as on gut-brain communications.
Fun fact: according to PubMed Central, 70% of the immune system is housed in the gut, therefore it’s essential to keep it in tip-top shape.
Therefore, gut health is no joke and taking care of it and making sure it’s as healthy as possible is crucial.
But why is it so important?
The importance of taking care of your gut
Known by many as the body’s second brain, it’s immensely important to ensure that you take good care of your gut. A healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system, healthy heart, brain health, improved mood, healthy sleep, and effective digestion, and it may help prevent some cancers and autoimmune diseases.
However, unlike breaking a bone with an excruciating amount of pain, a large proportion of the human body ‘just doesn’t feel right’ if there is something wrong and this is the same with the gut.
Signs of an upset gut
As with every part of your body, it’s crucial to listen to your body and the gut’s no different. An unhealthy or upset gut can be diagnosed in many ways, some of which include:
- Upset stomach or changes in your bowel movements
- Unintentional change in weight
- Trouble sleeping or constant fatigue
- Skin irritation
If you have concerns about whether or not you have an unhealthy gut, then you should speak to your GP who will help you further.
As more information is discovered on the role of the gut in overall physical health and wellbeing, it is only natural for people to be looking for easy gut health hacks to implement into their daily lifestyle.
One nutritional trend in particular has been growing, almost as if it had a life of its own...
Fermented foods
You may have seen nutritionists, influencers or journalists posting about a hot health topic ‘Fermented Foods’. Is it food or fad? Or both?
Actually these foods have been in the human diet for centuries, but we are only recently becoming aware of their health benefits.
Fermented foods are foods and beverages that have undergone controlled microbial growth and fermentation. Fermentation is a process that involves bacteria and yeast breaking down sugars. Consuming fermented foods can boost the number of beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, found in your gut! Basically you’re sending reinforcements for your troops! Can you hear the trumpets? Well hopefully not anymore after you’ve taken care of that gut ;).
There are a vast range of fermented foods and beverages but here are some of our favourites to help improve gut health and digestion:
- Kefir
- Tempeh
- Natto
- Kombucha
- Miso
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- Apple cider vinegar
- Probiotic yoghurt
You can even give the fermentation step a try at home and make your own salsa, asparagus pickles or even Sourdough bread..!
Gut Takeaways
So we’ve learnt today that the gut isn’t something to simply ignore. If you’ve got a symptom which you’re worried about, have it checked out.
Having an unhealthy gut isn’t the end of the world, you can fix it, but make sure that you prioritise it otherwise your toilet will not thank you! If you feel that you’re not getting in enough probiotics, then try switching up your diet by adding in some fermented foods and see if that calms your gut down.
I ferment raw milk at home and I enjoy it. Is fermented raw milk legal in U.K..
I would like to sell organic whey from my fermented milk people with dogs, where would I get the market?
I make my own kefir and sauerkraut.
So pleased I’ve found this account 💚 such fantastic information and it’ll really help me with my gut issues 👌🏻 Thank you xx