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.
Diet plays a key role in early life by modulating gut microbiota, thus affecting overall health
9 Jun 2021by Cristina Sáez
Numerous studies have been published on the impact of factors such as nutrition in early life, mode of delivery and antibiotic intake during this critical period and for future health. With that in mind, scientists have reviewed all the scientific data available on the impact of early life nutrition on the gut microbiota and the long-lasting effects on the brain.
Increasing awareness of celiac disease – An interview with Dr Elena Verdú
26 May 2021by GMFH Editing Team
According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, celiac disease affects 1 in 100 people worldwide. To mark International Coeliac Day, GMFH interviews Dr Elena Verdú from McMaster University (Canada), who explains some key facts about the condition.
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.
Following a diverse diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fermented foods, could play a protective role against severe forms of COVID-19. A new review presents the hypothesis highlighting the link between a less diversified microbiota, a high intake of processed foods and refined sugars and severe Covid-19 cases in Western countries.
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.
A new study performed in the elderly from five European countries reveals that following a Mediterranean diet may positively affect the gut microbiota and health in this population.
