A chewed awakening
Have you ever had a gut feeling that your immune system is not as robust as it could be?
According to experts, close to 70 per cent of our immune cells are located in the gut, however many of us are unaware of the connection between gut health and our ability to fight off illness.
Health food company Danone has teamed up with Sarah Keogh, one of the Ireland’s leading dietitians, to carry out a survey on 1,000 adults in Ireland and the UK to determine their level of understanding of gut health.
The survey found that almost 50 per cent of people don’t know how to support their immunity to resist common illnesses, and 62 per cent would like more advice on how to improve the health of their gut.
A third of people surveyed said they don’t actively do anything to support their immunity, however, 77 per cent said they would like to.
The survey also found that 40 per cent of people aren’t sure how to achieve a healthy gut, while 37 per cent are not sure of the benefits of a healthy gut.
Danone and Sarah Keogh are now joining forces to highlight simple ways for people to improve their gut health while enjoying numerous other health benefits.
Gut health refers to the balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract and because the gut is connected to almost every organ in our body, good gut health positively impacts weight, heart and skin health.
It also plays a huge role in mental health as the gut produces 95 per cent of a person’s serotonin, the key hormone relating to mood and happiness.
Good gut health also reduces the risk of irritable bowel syndrome, which affects one in five people.
According to dietitian Sarah Keogh, when it comes to gut health, small things can make a big difference.
“Enjoying lots of different types of food helps ensure the right microbial diversity in our gut and simple steps like eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can have a major positive impact,” said Ms Keogh.
She added: “Good gut health won’t of course mean immunity to Covid-19, but it can help people to support their immune systems more broadly for the months ahead and feel happier and healthier while doing so.”
The survey also found that 44 per cent of people polled said they were confused by advice on gut health, with the same number admitting that they don’t know which foods they should be eating.
The findings also showed interesting differences in approach between age groups: 70 per cent of Gen Z and 68 per cent of Millennials actively try to strengthen their immunity, compared to 52 per cent for Gen X and 47 per cent for Baby Boomers.
To help ensure that good gut health is accessible to everyone, Sarah Keogh and Danone have provided the following advice.
Firstly, people should be aiming to eat 30 different types of plant foods a week such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices, as well as 30 grams of fibre a day.
Secondly, staying hydrated is hugely important with adults encouraged to drink between six and eight glasses of fluids a day.
Finally, between six and eight hours of sleep a night coupled with exercise are crucial in the promotion of healthy bowel and gut function.