Feeling anxious? It could be time to heal your gut.
New research in the British Medical Journal shows
anxiety symptoms may be related to an unhealthy
balance of gut bacteria. In the study, researchers
reviewed 21 studies of 1,500 people with anxiety
who tried to improve their gut microbial health
by taking probiotics or improving their diet. More
than half of the studies showed a positive result,
but it was diet, not supplements, that was more
effective. The scientists believe eating more fruit,
veg and fibre is likely to improve gut bacteria
quality more than a probiotic added to a poor diet.
GUT FEELING
notebook
3 LOW-CALORIE
HOMEMADE
LOLLY IDEAS38.8%
the proportion of
bowel cancers that are
caused by poor diet*SOUND BITE
‘I’m obsessed
with nuts.
Pistachios,
peanuts—I love
them. I keep
them in my bag.’
Lottie Mossnotebook
SOUND BITE
‘I’m obsessed
peanuts—I love
them. I keep
them in my bag.’EAT NATURAL, LOSE WEIGHT
Fact – ultra-processed foods make you eat more. If you
want to lose weight, ditch foods with added flavours,
colours, emulsifiers and sweeteners you wouldn’t use in
your kitchen. In a US National Institute of Health study,
volunteers who only had access to ultra-processed
foods consumed on average 508 calories more per day,
compared with a two-week period during which they only
had access to unprocessed foods. The ultra-processed
foods also led to weight gain of two pounds, but both
diets were deemed equally palatable by the participants.FOOD
WORDS:Angela Dowden PHOTOGRAPHY: iStock *Journal of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Spectrum, May 20191
Crushed water melon
(23 calories per 75ml)
Watermelon is so naturally
sweet, lollies need no added
sugar. Blitz flesh in a liquidiser,
strain the pips and freeze.
2
Pineapple and coconut
(40 calories per 75ml)
To make these simple yet
sophisticated icy treats, whizz
sweet pineapple chunks (fresh
or canned) with reduced-fat
coconut milk in a ratio of 4 cups
to 1 cup. Freeze and enjoy!
3
Kiwifruit
(43 calories per 75ml)
Kiwis make tart, vitamin
C-rich lollies. Chop 10 skinned
kiwi fruit and whizz together
with 250ml pineapple juice,
4 teaspoons honey and a splash
of lime juice. Freeze.