From probiotics to porridge, we test products that promise to get your gut in good shape

A HEALTHY gut can cut inflammation and your chances of developing heart disease, high blood sugar and cholesterol.

To maintain a healthy stomach flora, you need to avoid a diet high in sugars, processed foods, alcohol – and stressful environments.

These can all trigger an inflammatory process that leaves you with more bad bacteria than good.

Jane Atkinson looks at ways to get your gut in great shape.

Probiotic drinks

MICROBZ Revive is produced by a small family-run business based in Wiltshire. It makes 11 Bio-Live probiotic drinks containing living cultures fermented with traditional herbs that are aimed at helping certain conditions.

There is one with added ingredients to help with sleep and another for breathing. It even makes a version for children.

I love the fitness one, as it contains glucosamine and MSM, plus collagen, which is great for repair in the body.

Liquid is more easily absorbed by the body and does not trigger the digestive system to produce stomach acid, which can kill beneficial bacteria.

This means more live bacteria reach the lower intestines ready to get to work.

I thought it might taste vile but the best bit –it tastes a bit like cider! (£31.49 for a month’s supply, microbz.co.uk).

Crunchy porridge

Bio&Me

It is the season for porridge and this version is great for your tummy[/caption]

IT is the season for porridge and this version is great for your tummy.
Bio&Me is the brand created by The Gut Health Doctor, Dr Megan Rossi.

Her Gut-Loving Porridge has been designed to make looking after your stomach easy.

I tried the convenient new Super Seedy & Nutty sachets.

Just add boiling water and in only two minutes you have a very tasty porridge with almonds, hazelnuts, chia, linseed, pumpkin and sunflower seeds plus carrot, chicory root, coconut, dates, quinoa, raisins and oats.

It is crunchy, nutty and delicious – plus it contains 2g of chicory inulin, which is a fibre known as a fructan, a carbohydrate made from a short chain of fructose molecules that your body does not digest.

It acts as a prebiotic to feed the good bacteria in your stomach. (On offer for £2 for six 35g sachets, bioandme.co.uk).

Good bacteria

THE cultured dairy product, pronounced kee-feer, has been made for more than 2,000 years and originated in the Caucasus Mountains in eastern Europe near Turkey.

It is made through a fermentation process and contains probiotics – the good bacteria – that are very beneficial for gut health.

This Biotiful version has been made from oats and fermented with billions of vegan kefir cultures.

It has no added sugar and is a source of calcium, vitamin B12 and D to aid with digestion, your immune system, energy levels and metabolism.

I tried the strawberry one, which tastes amazing, like a thin strawberry yoghurt with a slightly sour flavour, not dissimilar to Greek yoghurt.

Perfect for a breakfast drink or overnight oats. (£1.85 for 200ml bottle, sainsburys.co.uk).