As the seasons change and we head towards the colder months, there’s no better time to think about supporting our wellness and our bodies from the inside out.
We’ve always believed that good health starts with good food – real, honest produce that’s grown and crafted with care. That’s why we’re passionate about working with local producers who share our values.
While there will never be one single solution to radically improve your health and wellness, more and more studies are pointing towards the importance of gut health.
Research links good gut health to better vitamin absorption, hormone regulation, regulating appetite and reducing cravings. This month, we’re shining a light on gut health and the incredible range of fermented foods we stock that can help support your wellbeing naturally.
Gut-Friendly Foods
Foods beneficial to gut health come in a couple of forms:
High in ‘good bacteria’ – increase the amount and diversity of the microbiome found in your gut. These are usually fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, live yoghurts, kefir (fermented milk) and kombucha (fermented tea).
Rich in pre-biotic fibre – act to feed the ‘good’ bacteria already present in your gut. This includes whole foods like bananas, onions, garlic, beans and lentils. The more variety of these foods you eat, the more you’re supporting different populations of beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Kefir: Susana and Daughters
Kefir is a fermented milk drink that has been made for thousands of years. It makes a great addition to your diet, spooned over cereal and muesli in the morning, blended into smoothies, or added to dressings.
One of our newest artisan producers is Susana and Daughters, based near Cowdray in West Sussex. They lovingly make kefir in small batches from milk from one of the herds on the Cowdray estate.
Kayleigh recently met with Susana and was able to see for herself the whole process. Susana has spent a long time perfecting the recipe and now has a kefir that is really easy to enjoy.
Kombucha: Dffrnt
Kombucha is a fermented tea drink with origins in East Asia that has been gaining popularity in recent years as people become aware of its health benefits.
Brewed near Ringwood, Dffrnt is a slow-brewed range of drinks with three very distinctive tastes. All naturally sparkling and a great alternative to alcoholic drinks, they create a mix of tea and natural botanicals together with the all-important SCOBY – Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast – the live ingredient that does all the fermentation.
These drinks are brand new to our Winchester shop, so pop in and try one as a tasty winter companion to help improve your immunity.
