[ health & wellness ]
CAN GUT HEALTH AFFECT YOUR IMMUNITY? Did you know that 70-80% of your bodyâs immune cells are found in the gut? Thereâs plenty of evidence to show that your gut and immune system work together closely to regulate and support each other. Specifically, your immune system promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and a healthy gut microbiome sends signals back to your immune cells to support their development and fine-tune their immune responses. This means that, if you can keep your gut healthy, youâre also supporting your bodyâs protective responses. A healthy diet can have a positive impact on your immune defences by increasing the diversity of your gut flora. The dietary fibre found in plantbased foods has been linked to the growth of beneficial bacteria in the
gut and studies have revealed that the types of fibre found in fruits, oats and nuts can be beneficial for strengthening the immune system. Other foods that support good gut health include probiotics (such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kombucha), prebiotic foods (such as legumes, onions and garlic), and foods rich in vitamin D such as oily fish (sardines and tuna) and eggs. On the other hand, a diet high in animal protein, saturated fat, salt, sugar and low in plant fibre is often linked to immune disorders associated with poor gut health. Try to ditch highly processed fatty foods and excessive alcohol consumption and replace them with a wholesome gut-friendly diet. Everything you choose to eat can play a role in your bodyâs ability to support immunity.
Foods that support good gut health include probiotics, such as yoghurt.
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DRINK YOURSELF HEALTHY! New Zealand family owned Greenlea Premier Meats has created a range of bone broths and bone broth tonics to appeal to the growing health and wellness category. Whether used in cooking or as a readyto-drink beverage, bone broth is well known for a wide range of benefits including gut health and boosting immunity. All products in the range are a source of protein and collagen, keto/paleo friendly, gluten free, dairy free, and hormone and antibiotic free. The broths are all beef or chicken based and are slow simmered for 24 to 48 hours to extract all the goodness. The tonic range has added herbs and spices for a pleasant and healthy afternoon replacement to tea or coffee. The added ingredients have been chosen not only for flavour but also for their known health benefits ⌠such as cinnamon, maca, turmeric and ginger. Bone broth is a well know category in North America, and the strong 14
FMCG BUSINESS - SEPTEMBER 2021
trend, led by the surge in health and wellness products, sees sales figures soon to equal or even surpass the chilled soup category. Restore.co.nz For ordering information email: restore@greenlea.co.nz