I tested 3 probiotics to sustain your microbiome & improve gut health
GUT health trends are predicted to carry on in 2025.
Not surprising when we know it helps with immunity, mental health, chronic disease prevention and stomach issues.
To sustain your microbiome you need to avoid highly processed foods and eat more fibre.
Plus taking probiotics – live bacteria and yeasts – may help restore the natural balance of good bacteria in your gut.
Today I’ve put some to the test…
YOGHURT
ACTIVIA has just brought out a new spoonable kefir range and I love these yoghurts.
They come in Natural and Strawberry & Raspberry flavours.
The yoghurt, made from fermented milk, contains 16 different culture strains and billions of live cultures with yeasts and calcium to support gut health.
These are really creamy and not overly sweet, which I love – despite the fact each 150g pot has 12g of sugar. They also contain 5.4g of protein.
A sweet treat that’s good for your gut. £2 for two at tesco.com.
KEFIR
BIO&ME – a company dedicated to gut health – has just launched its first kefir drinks.
They come in two flavours, natural and creamy vanilla.
Each bottle contains 18 different culture strains (including two of the world’s most studied), plus over 100 billion active cultures – more than double the average of current kefir drinks on the market. There is no added sugar in these.
In the vanilla version there is just milk, cultures, chicory root fibre, vanilla bean extract and natural flavourings.
I prepared overnight oats with this – a great way to start the day for gut health. Good for the whole family too.
Each 250ml serving contains 155 calories, 8g of sugar (naturally from the milk) and 9g of protein. £2.60 for a 500ml bottle at Sainsbury’s.
KOMBUCHA
THIS fermented tea has been around thousands of years.
When properly brewed it is a delicious, slightly fizzy and refreshing soft drink that is low in sugar and naturally contains probiotics and healthy organic acids.
It is made using four simple ingredients: tea, water, sugar and a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast).
MOMO Kombucha has just brought out Green Mandarin Kombucha which tastes amazing with a lovely slightly sharp citrus twist. Perfect as a mixer over the festive season. I love it.
It contains mandarin juice and zest from specific orchards in Sicily.
Just 70 calories per 330ml glass bottle, £28 for six.
Not cheap but worth it as a treat. See momo-kombucha.com.