Food intolerances are the result of your body having difficulty digesting certain foods. Intolerances, like lactose intolerance, may be caused by poor quality of bacteria in the gut. This can lead to trouble digesting the trigger foods and symptoms like:

· bloating

· gas

· diarrhea

· abdominal pain

There is also some research indicating that food allergies may be related to gut health.

A balanced/nurtured gut has a diverse population of gut bacteria, and will easily process food and eliminate waste, likely leading to fewer symptoms of stomach disturbances .

A diet high in processed foods and added sugars decreases the amount of “good” bacteria and diversity in your gut. Remember, a higher level of diversity in gut bacteria is associated with improved health.

Gaining or losing weight without changing your diet or exercise habits may be a sign of an unhealthy gut. Weight loss, on one hand, may be caused by malabsorption because of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. On another hand, uncontrolled weight gain may be caused by increased inflammation, hormonal imbalances and/or insulin resistance.

Some research indicates that an imbalance in gut bacteria may be linked to short sleep duration, which may lead to chronic fatigue.

Inflammation contributes to general feelings of fatigue, tiredness, and exhaustion for many people. And remember inflammation is your body’s response to an unhealthy gut microbiome.

You may have heard of the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This is a debilitating disease characterised by unexplained disabling fatigue. Research shows that, patients with CFS are more likely to report a previous diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common functional disorder of the gut (See point 1).

The state of one’s skin is always a clear indication of the state of their gut. Research has proven that many skin diseases are accompanied by an altered gut microbiome.

In a placebo controlled human study, healthy volunteers obtained lower skin sensitivity when consuming probiotics/live bacteria as compared to the placebo group. This proved that consumption of probiotics or live bacteria that are beneficial for the gastrointestinal system has potential to prevent and manage various skin diseases, such as acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

An unhealthy gut increases systemic inflammation, thereby affecting the proper functioning of the immune system.

This can lead to autoimmune conditions, where the body happens to fight against itself, rather than harmful invaders.

If you can relate to any of this, remember you can reach out to us via whatsapp on +233 55 291 5390 for a range of probiotic beverages.

That’s all for now, Boochers!

*Please note that the information shared via this newsletter is not meant to replace any medical advice, but rather to provide guidance on understanding your body better.