We’ve all heard of probiotics – the good bacteria which live in our gut and help digest food. But they do so much more – secreting hormones and chemicals to make us happy, controlling our appetite, helping prevent obesity, diabetes and even cancer. In fact, ongoing research is constantly uncovering just how much we rely on these little critters for our health and well-being. It’s actually quite astonishing.
So how do we make sure we get plenty of good guys in our guts, and avoid the bad guys?
Well we can swallow good bacteria directly – there’s a vast range of prebiotics available, which contain various strains of friendly bacteria.
But more importantly, we need to keep them there. Like any living thing probiotic bacteria like to be fed, and to do this, we should eat good food. If your diet’s mainly junk food, it doesn’t matter how many probiotics you take, the good boys will simply die and bad bacteria will take over.
So what has this to do with eating delicious YaconViva! Cacao Nibs – cacao nibs coated in yummy sweet yacón syrup?
Actually, quite a lot. Let me explain about prebiotics. These contain nutrients which good bacteria love, and fructooligosaccharides (FOS to their friends) are particularly effective prebiotics. FOS are found in vegetables like onions and chicory root, but also in yacón – a root vegetable from the Andes. The great thing about FOS is, they’re naturally sweet, but, unlike sugar, they tend to stay in your gut, where they provide a tasty meal for good bacteria. And because we don’t absorb them readily, they’re less likely to make us fat or cause sugar spikes – win-win.
Yacón Syrup is a delicious sweet FOS-rich syrup which is extracted from the root of the yacón and it’s a great way to indulge your sweet tooth healthily.
I genuinely love Yaconviva! Cacao Nibs – all organic and a really yummy snack. The only ingredients are yacón syrup and cacao nibs, so they’re vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free, plus they’re packed-full of antioxidants and contain natural caffeine. They taste delicious and yes, they can be good for you, and your gut bacteria – so no guilt today.
And if you want to give the love of your life a healthy choccy gift for Valentine’s Day – you should get plenty of brownie points for choosing Yaconviva! Cacao Nibs.
Available from Amazon UK, and yaconviva.co.uk and good health stores.
RRP £8.99 for a 300g pack.
By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.