Did you know that your gut is home to trillions of different microbes which can influence your mood, appetite and immune system? And it’s very important to keep those microbes in balance for you to feel healthy and happy.

There could be up to 2,000 different species of bacteria living in your gut right now. The ‘good’ microbes found there will help with digestion and the absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the body. However there will be some ‘bad’ microbes present too, and when the delicate balance of your gut flora shifts towards conditions that increase the bad bacteria, you may experience symptoms such as bloating, constipation or diarrhoea. This is known as dysbiosis. 

Our modern diets are full of sugar and processed oils which enables the bad bacteria to flourish and worsen the symptoms of dysbiosis. Therefore it is key to increase our intake of vegetables, aim for 5-a-day as a minimum and ensure we are consuming 30g of fibre a day to support the maintenance of our good gut bacteria. However if you very regularly suffer with the symptoms of dysbiosis we recommend talking to your doctor, as it could be a sign of a more serious health condition. 

One way to increase your good gut bacteria is through the consumption of fermented foods. Foods such as kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut contain beneficial live cultures, when fermented naturally, and consuming these can give your body a boost of probiotics.

If you’re interested in giving fermented foods a try, Loving Foods are offering 15% off your first order via our PerkJam collaboration. We’ve also shared a new recipe on our website for those looking for some fermented food inspiration.

Don’t forget that there are no instant routes to peak fitness, and that your health is a life-long journey. It’s important to listen to your body and eat a balanced diet that focuses on consuming more natural foods. If you’re looking for more health inspiration please do take a look at the other articles in the Healthy Lifestyles section of the DBT website.