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Article The importance of gut health for the whole family

August 16, 2017

22 Comments

A healthy digestive system is at the core of good health and wellbeing, so it’s important that your digestive system is getting enough good bacteria to ensure a healthy bacteria balance in the gut.

There are trillions of bacteria that inhabit our gut comprising some 400-500 different strains both beneficial (good) and harmful. For us to have a well-functioning gut, it’s important that these bacteria are in harmony.

‘Good’ bacteria includes the important Lactobacillus acidophilus, L.casei and Bifidobacteria which are all found in all Jalna pot set yoghourts.

Having the right balance of good bacteria in our gut helps to enhance immune function, aids digestion, protects against infections and promotes a healthy barrier against certain germs and viruses and may even influence mood disorders like anxiety and depression.

When the balance of good and harmful bacteria is altered it can lead to problems such as diarrhoea, bloating, wind, constipation, and discomfort.

Diet is critical in managing gut health so it’s important to ensure that each member of your family is eating a diet rich in gut-friendly foods. Studies have shown a change in gut bacteria can occur within 24 hours following a dietary change.

In order to maintain a healthy digestive system and correct balance of ‘good’ bacteria, a good rule of thumb is to eat a variety of nutritious foods.

Both prebiotic and probiotic foods play an important role by affecting the balance of the gut microbiome or gut flora (bacteria).

One of the key nutrients to maintain gut health is dietary fibre which can have a prebiotic function as it keeps the digestive system happy and provides food for the probiotic (good) bacteria to flourish. Foods that offer a source of dietary fibre include plant foods like whole grains, fruit with skin, plenty of raw or lightly cooked vegetables as well as legumes (beans and lentils).

It is also important to make sure that each family member is well hydrated to help the digestive system to perform at its best.

In summary, ensuring your family’s diet features a lot of fibre-rich foods paired with the good bacteria found in probiotic-rich yoghourt, such a Jalna, and other fermented foods contributes to a healthy gut flora, and a healthy family overall.

Karen Inge, ASD

 

 

Jalna’s Nourish section is packed full of great information about keeping your family healthy and active. You might like to read some extra information from their nutrition adviser, Karen Inge.

 

From time to time, Mouths of Mums brings you content sponsored by our partners. Right now, we are partnered with Jalna to bring you this awesome article, letting you know the importance of having the right probiotics in your diet. 

Jalna Pot Set Yoghourts are a great way to introduce probiotics into your diet. Here are 3 delicious recipes you might like to try …

Jalna Trio of Dips
Jalna Chia Pikelets

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Comments

  • Good article, and we really rate Jalna yoghurt for taste and consistency.

    Reply

  • Good gut health is paramount to good brain/head health. I can really feel the difference in my self and anxiety flare ups when not looking after my gut.

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  • Best thing for gut health for kids is to let them play in the dirt. I also give my little girl a probiotic. I take the Vivamixx myself. Really helps with my gut problems.

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  • yep and i i have also found that having good gut health can also help me with weight loss and my weight maintenance goals. thanks for the great information

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  • Thank you for the information and the recipes.

    Reply

  • I do believe gut health is important but it would be nice to read an article that discusses it with proper scientific backing and examples of how to increase/sustain gut health properly.

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  • Gut health is important for everyone in the family and good tips in the article – thanks.

    • I also love that I can increase good gut health by eating some of my favourite things. :)

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  • Another good reason to love yogurt.

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  • Great Jalna ad – personally I’d just eat the blueberries.

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  • Yoghurt sure is good for your digestive system. Personally I think kefir (fermented milk) is even better, not to forget all the other foods promote gut health like Fermented vegetables (kimchi, sauerkraut, carrots, green beans, beets, lacto-fermented pickles, traditional cured Greek olives) Fermented soybeans (miso, natto, tempeh) Cultured dairy products (buttermilk, yogurt, kefir, cheese).

    Reply

  • This is obviously a Jalna Yoghurt promotion and does not necessary apply to all gut problems. Does Jalna make Lactose Free Yoghurt for those who cannot eat yoghurt made from Cow’s milk??

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  • Everyone at this place gets a spoonful of yoghurt every day – whether its on breakfast in the moring, in a smoothie or with fruit for dessert. Its a staple because I know how good it is for us all. And its always natural, no added sugar or flavours.

    Reply

  • I love yoghurt and eat it most days with muesli and make every effort to eat as much fibre as possible.

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  • I cook with greek yogurt mostly but wonder if the good stuff is still there once cooked.

    • High heat exposure — either during the pasteurization process or during cooking, when yogurt is added to hot foods — will destroy the bacteria. To ensure you get the full benefits of probiotics in yogurt, choose yogurt with live or active cultures, and eat the yogurt as is — do not add it to hot foods or heat it above 55 C.
      However killing the bacteria may alter the benefits for a different desired effect, or lessen it to some extent, but it doesn’t necessarily do away with the health benefits all together.

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  • I’ve definitely noticed fermented food finding its way into mainstream diets.

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  • I learnt about this when I was on ant-biotics for a virus. It fixed my virus but killed my good bacteria leaving me vulnerable to picking up another one. So, I took a probiotic and it protected me.

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  • Jalna certainly makes it easy to maintain good gut health.

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  • Definitely important to the way I feel.

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  • I agree completely. I take probiotics every day and it really makes the difference!! And I try to eat Greek yogurt and fermented food too.

    Reply
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