Category Archives: Gut Health

Peppermint Tea

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Robert Barrington

Peppermint tea is an interesting drink nutritionally because it has a number of effects not shared by other teas. Firstly, peppermint does not contain caffeine, and so peppermint tea is a good alternative to black and green tea for those … Continue reading →

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Cabbage and The Stomach

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Robert Barrington

The cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is a commonly eaten leafy vegetable with a number of recognised health effects. The cabbage belongs to the brassica family and is cultivated around the world as a food crop. However, as with most brassica family … Continue reading →

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Chronic Inflammation: The Gut Connection

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Robert Barrington

Chronic low level inflammation is a significant cause of disease. Many diseases that develop as a result of the Western lifestyle and diet develop as a result of inflammation. Inflammation is detrimental because it causes cellular metabolism to change and … Continue reading →

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The benefits of Friendly Gut Bacteria

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Robert Barrington

There are two main reasons for the benefits of gut bacteria, one is a direct effect of their existence and one is an indirect effect. The main direct effect of gut bacteria is that they provide a method of synthesising … Continue reading →

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Tannins and the Gut

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Robert Barrington

Tannins are a group of phytochemicals present in many plant foods. One important source of tannins for humans is black tea. The tannins in tea are produced from the flavonoids in green tea when black tea is fermented. Tannins have … Continue reading →

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Anthocyanins and the Gut Microbiome

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Robert Barrington

Anthocyanins are a group of flavonoids that are synthesised in plants and responsible for many of the red, blue and purples colours of fruits, particularly berries. Anthocyanins have important health effects in humans. Evidence suggests that certain anthocyanins are bioavailable … Continue reading →

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Citrus Flavonoids: Intestinal Health

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Robert Barrington

Citrus fruit contains a number of flavonoids that may be beneficial to the health. The flavonoids in citrus fruit belong mainly to the flavanone sub-group. The flavonoids are particularly concentrated in the skin of the fruits where they act to … Continue reading →

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Polyphenols as Nutrients for Gut Bacteria

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Robert Barrington

The bacteria and other microorganisms present in the gut are referred to as the microbiome. They are composed mainly of around 1000-1500 known bacterial species with most individuals possessing around 160 to 500 species each. This suggests that the microbiome … Continue reading →

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Tryptophan Metabolism in the Gut

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Robert Barrington

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is metabolised in the brain to synthesise serotonin. Because tryptophan cannot be synthesised in humans, the diet is the only source of the amino acid. Dietary manipulation can alter mood because it changes … Continue reading →

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Gut Bacteria and Anxiety

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Robert Barrington

One of the main factors that can influence the mood of an individual is the health of the gut. In particular, the variety of bacteria within the gut can have a significant impact on mental health. In turn, both diet … Continue reading →

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