PREVIEW

How seasonal shifts can upset your gut. We are fast approaching autumn in the northern hemisphere, meaning it's almost time for hot drinks, warm clothes and getting cosy on the sofa. But as the temperature drops, we often adopt habits that can upset our gut health, such as eating heavier foods and exercising less. Adrienne Benjamin, nutritionist at ProVen Biotics, reveals the potential impact of this seasonal change on our gut health. ”Some recent research has shown that changes in temperature may impact the balance of the gut microbiome and potentially slow down digestive processes. This could lead to slower motility and a tendency to (experience) constipation and a general feeling of discomfort.” The nutritionist explains that habits such as eating comfort foods on a regular basis can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut. ”This may also be linked to the colder weather bringing dietary and lifestyle changes, such as less exercise and outdoor activity, and increased consumption of comfort foods that are higher in fats and sugars and lower in fibre,” In addition, many of us consume less water in the colder months, opting instead for hot drinks such as tea and coffee. ”Dehydration is more common in colder months, and this also impacts stool formation and potentially contributes to constipation. When you're dehydrated, the water in the body is diverted out of the bowel for other essential functions, leaving the stool dry, hard and difficult to pass and contributing to other digestive symptoms, such as bloating.” The change of seasons can also impact our sleep, which in turn affects our gut. ”Lack of sleep or poor sleep can raise the level of the stress hormone, cortisol, in our bodies, which can result in inflammation and symptoms such as bloating and stomach pain, and can also lead to altered gut function and diarrhoea.” To support your gut health during the colder months, Adrienne recommends taking a probiotic once a day to help support your bacteria balance and "mitigate the impact that 'Au-Tum' brings”.
Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT