Just so you know, this is a sponsored post. But opinions are our own and we researched the topic and came to these conclusions independently.
Are you prone to the sniffles? When flu season comes around, are you always first to be struck down?
While conventional wisdom will send you hunting for vitamin C supplements and bowls of chicken soup, there could be bigger things at play. Your gut is an integral part of your immune system, preventing pathogens from entering the blood and lymph systems.
“Around 80 per cent of your immune system resides in your gut,” says IQS dietitian Natalie Bourke. “If your gut lining and microbiome is compromised, then so is your immune system.”
Ready to improve your gut health – and your immune system – this winter? Here are three essential tips.
1. Boost your good bacteria.
A healthy gut microbiome is vital. If bad bacteria make their way into your digestive tract, you’re going to need a lot more good bacteria at the ready to prevent overgrowth. If you don’t, the bad ones could take over, making you ill.
The shortcut to good gut bacteria is eating probiotics in ferments like kimchi and sauerkraut. Not quite sold on sour cabbage? Kombucha is a sweeter and easier way to get your fix. We’re big fans of Remedy‘s long-aged brew, which uses up virtually all the sugar in the fermentation process (it’s just 1g of sugar per 100ml!).
“Kombucha can be part of your daily ritual to keep the winter colds and flus at bay,” says Sarah Condon, co-founder of Remedy Kombucha. “Aside from kombucha’s natural antimicrobial properties and beneficial bacteria, our Ginger + Lemon Kombucha is super warming and contains a kick of vitamin C, too.”
2. Heal and seal with gelatin.
The lining of the gut is also extremely important for keeping nasties out of your system. The intestinal mucosal barrier contains antibodies which fight off disease and infection – yep, mucus can be a good thing!
Emerging research shows that gelatin (the collagen from cooked bones and tissues) may actually help heal the gut lining and replenish the intestinal mucosa. Luckily, winter is just the right time for lots of stocks and chicken broth! You can also make your own gummies for a gut-healthy snack.
3. Get your fibre fix.
The gut loves stability (or homeostasis, if we’re getting technical). A stable gut environment won’t be too thrown if you unknowingly introduce a bad bug. But an unstable gut will go haywire and get the immune system involved, making you extremely sensitive to any changes.
There is evidence to suggest that a diet rich in fibre may help things stay even-keeled, as it increases cells which regulate the immune system (no crazy reactions here!). If you feel very sensitive in your gut, it may be worth increasing your increase of whole grains, vegetables and fresh fruit.
What tricks do you find help boost your immune system?
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