Gut health, a domain once the reserve of nutritionists and alternative therapists, has gone mainstream. The trend can be seen playing out on supermarket shelves with an explosion in the number of foods with added good bacteria, while, on social media, #Guttok has more than 800 million views on TikTok.
So, what is it all about, and how can we achieve good gut health? We asked an expert to find out. Dom Kristy, a nutritionist and the founder of Evolved Foods, tells us that our gut microbiome is made up of trillions of active microorganisms that help us stay happy and healthy.
“When we look after our microbiome, in return, it looks after us,” he says. “The science between our gut and immune health, mental wellbeing and longevity is well documented, and a strong link is clear.”
As a nutritionist, Kristy recommends looking at what we eat first and ensuring we are getting a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables and whole foods such as beans, legumes and pulses and low on ultra-processed junk food. Adding probiotics – a group of bacteria-containing foods that may help our gut microbiome, and prebiotics, which supply our existing bacteria with the fuel they need to flourish – to your daily routine in supplement form can also help.
“If you are planning to supplement prebiotics or probiotics, it’s worth considering the brand and products you’re going to buy,” he says. “Health claims can be misleading and often tend to oversell the benefits to consumers using impressive ‘sciencey’ language.”
He adds that, “If you’re ready to start taking steps [to better gut health] today, then aim to gradually increase your consumption of prebiotics or probiotics from natural sources while being selective with the brands and products you choose to supplement with.”
With Kristy’s sound advice in our minds, we searched for gut health supplements that were backed by research or solid and authentic reviews. Then we tested them out ourselves, paying close attention to how we felt and if we could see any improvements in our overall wellbeing.
Our round-up has a range of products, including multi-species probiotic supplements and synbiotics, which combine both probiotics and prebiotics, and those that may help people with specific needs or health concerns. Get ready for the best gut health of your life.
