When it gets cold outside, its tempting to snuggle up and comfort eat.
We also tend to stay at home more with less exposure to bacteria.
Combined, winter weather and wanting to stay inside, keep warm and maybe eat a bit more - can impact our guts.
Our gut microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem and it adapts to various environmental factors, including diet, lifestyle, and the seasons.
As temperatures drop, the diversity of gut bacteria tends to decrease as well.
This means that there are fewer types of bacteria living in the gut during winter than in the warmer months.
So how can we help our guts this winter?
Get moving
If we're cutting back on our daily movement we are also slowing down gut transit time which could lead to bloating, constipation.
Try to move your body, even if it’s just 30 minutes a day.
Also, if you can try to get your daily movement outside to increase your exposure to sunlight, even better! Vitamin D levels can also aid gut health and digestion.
Eat widely and seasonally
By eating a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and wholegrains we can support our gut bacteria.
Also try consuming fermented foods like yoghurts, pickles, kimchi, miso, and kombucha.
Keep hydrated. Have a bottle of water on your desk to remind you to drink regularly throughout the day.
Try out new recipes
Keep things interesting for you by trying up new recipes. Your gut will also love different foods as they'll add different bacterial species into your gut.
Different bacteria have different functions all working together to support your health, making you more resilient.
Why not try roasting vegetables you don't often buy to use with dips? Or trying new soup recipes.
This winter, try moving more, drinking more, and eating foods that support your microbiome.