The term synbiotic, less known than probiotics or prebiotics, was born in 1995. In 2019, a group of scientists came together to propose a new definition. Discover why synbiotics are more than simply a probiotic-prebiotic combination and how they can benefit you.
Could dead microorganisms or their components promote health? Is it time for postbiotics
7 Jul 2021by Andreu Prados
It is known that live microorganisms, when ingested in adequate amounts, may confer health benefits. Now, scientists have established a consensus definition for dead microbial cells and/or their components and clarified how you might benefit from them.
Is it time to include safe, live microorganisms as components of a balanced diet?
23 Jun 2021by Mary Ellen Sanders
Scientists agree that having a gut microbiota that is in ‘good shape’ is a crucial component of individual health and well-being. Although exactly how ‘good shape’ is defined is not so clear, many experts recommend consuming more live dietary microbes through including fermented foods that retain live microbial components.
Food, and its food components, nutrients or additives, can affect the composition and function of the gut microbiota. This article provides a summary of the food components that contribute to optimal microbiota health and explains how they can impact it.
Why the quality of your diet is the best recipe for a healthier gut microbiota and better health
15 Apr 2021by Andreu Prados
The gut microbiota is largely shaped by what you eat. Recently, a large study involving more than 1,000 people showed that a balanced and nutritious diet supports a healthier gut microbiota and better health, while a diet full of highly processed foods with added sugar and salt promotes a gut microbiota linked to poor metabolic health.
A healthy gut for a healthy heart? A 10-year study looks at the gut-heart connection
17 Feb 2021by Megan Mouw
A new study suggests that the gut microbiota may be a novel avenue for exploring heart disease prevention. This article explains how a diet higher in plants and lower in animal products may decrease heart disease risk thanks to the reduction in certain metabolites produced by the gut microbiota.
How brain health affects gut microbiota health (and vice versa): What we have learned in 2020
20 Jan 2021by Cristina Sáez
A balanced gut microbiota is crucial for mental health. Learn more about how gut bacteria affect our central nervous system, even in the earliest stages of life, and how some scientists are trying to find ways of targeting the gut microbiome to improve or treat symptoms of neurological diseases.
What do we know about the role of fermented foods on the gut microbiota?
17 Dec 2020by Andreu Prados
Fermented foods are an increasing focus of interest for both scientists and consumers. Few modern foods are a significant source of live microbes, and fermented foods can be the exception. What do we know about how those dietary microbes impact our gut microbiota and our health?
Nutrition, immunity and COVID-19: what have we learned during last months?
11 Dec 2020by Andreu Prados
Good nutrition is important to support the immune system through shaping the balance of the gut microbiota. Learn more on how nutrition and having a healthy lifestyle can support the immune system particularly with regards to protection against COVID-19.
This infographic lets you find out more about Lactobacillus, one of gut microbiota’s main microorganisms, along with information on how it functions and in which foods it is present.
