Gut Health
Long before probiotic supplements, there was fermentation. This is the traditional way to get live cultures into your diet, through real, living foods rather than pills. Most of what's here is raw and unpasteurised, so the natural cultures survive to the jar.
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Gut Health Foods: Fermented & Probiotic
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- Sauerkraut and kimchi: raw, crunchy fermented cabbage, plain or spiced.
- Miso and fermented sauces: savoury, unpasteurised pastes, shoyu and hot sauces.
- Kombucha and kefir water: live, lightly fizzy drinks.
- Pickles and raw vinegars: gherkins, beetroot and apple cider vinegar with the "Mother".
- Tempeh and tofu: fermented and plant-based protein.
Easy ways to use them
A forkful of sauerkraut with lunch, miso stirred into an evening broth, kimchi beside your eggs, or a bottle of kefir water with a meal. A spoonful of raw apple cider vinegar in a dressing works too. Small daily additions that add up.
Variety helps, since gut flora does well on a mix of foods, so it's worth rotating a few. Keep raw products refrigerated, and don't boil miso if you want to keep the cultures. You can read more on why fermented foods belong in a healthy diet and why a pasteurised supermarket pickle is biologically dead.
FAQs
How do fermented foods help your gut? Raw, unpasteurised ferments contain live cultures, and many are a natural source of fibre, both of which people associate with looking after their gut. We can't promise specific health outcomes, but eating a little fermented food regularly is an easy habit to build.
Which should I start with? Plain sauerkraut or a mild kimchi are the gentlest starting points. From there, miso is great for cooking, kombucha and kefir water are good if you'd rather drink your cultures, and raw apple cider vinegar is handy in dressings.
How much should I eat? A forkful or a small glass with a meal is plenty to start. If you're new to fermented foods, build up slowly and see how you feel rather than having a lot at once.
Are these foods vegan? Most are, including the krauts, miso, kombucha and kefir water here. Some traditional recipes use fish sauce or other animal ingredients, so check the individual product page if you need to be sure.
How should I store them? Keep raw, live products in the fridge and use a clean spoon or pour carefully each time. For krauts and kimchi, press the contents back under the liquid so they stay covered. Shelf-stable items like miso will say on the label.
Do you deliver across the UK? Yes, we deliver UK-wide, with free standard delivery on mainland UK orders over £35. Delivery options and any extra charges for remote areas are shown at checkout.
