The silly season’s parties, feasts and holidays are fabulous, but they can leave our bodies feeling a little worse for wear. If you’re anything like me, months of heavy food, sweets and more alcohol than usual have left me feeling a little… sluggish. The real issue is my bloated belly which is not only uncomfortable, but also means very few of my office-appropriate pants fit. (Perfect)
To give my gut a reset I decided to try the pre + probiotic supplement blends from New Zealand-founded supplement company Moodi, which promise to help with bloating, support gut health and balance mood.
How do probiotics and prebiotics work together, and why are they so important? I did a deep dive and put these powders to the test.
Why is the gut such a big deal?
It all comes down to the gut microbiome. The gut houses more than 1000 species of bacteria, which all play different key roles in the running of your body.
Together these microbes may weigh as much as two kilograms – about the same weight as your brain! As researchers undertake more studies on how much influence the health of your gut microbiome has on your health, some scientists call it ‘the second brain’. The term “gut instinct” makes increasing sense.
To keep those bacteria functioning properly, it’s important to consume a balanced diet full of lots of different micro- and macronutrients, and a mix of probiotics and prebiotics.
What are probiotics and prebiotics?
Probiotics contain live microorganisms that help maintain the good bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics are sort of like their food: non-digestible plant fibres that feed good bacteria, helping them be active. A balance of both is needed for optimum gut health.
It can be tricky to get the right balance of probiotics and prebiotics through food alone, so a supplement can really help. That’s where Moodi comes in. Formulated with 19 billion clinically studied probiotics and 8g of prebiotic fibre, the pre + probiotic blends have everything you need to nourish your gut in just one scoop.
Some supplements use artificial sweeteners that can cause gas and bloating, but Moodi’s pre-probiotic blend is flavoured with real fruit and has only 22 calories per serving.
We put them to the test here in the Now to Love office – here is the lineup looking pretty in the kitchen. (Yes, we also have an oat milk addiction. )
The consensus:
“This year I’m trying to cut back to one coffee a day so this has replaced my afternoon coffee – and I’m already feeling better for it”
“Delicious!”
“The lemon-lime might even replace my daily Diet Coke and sweet treat combo”
Feedback from my colleagues
Moodi pre + probiotic blends come in four delicious flavours: Pink Lemonade, Tropicana, Blackcurrant Apple and the new Lemon Lime. I didn’t believe founder Kate when she said their latest flavour tastes like a melted lemonade ice block, but I’m not kidding when I say that’s EXACTLY what it tastes like.
What do the experts think?
Naturopath Kath Ma says that for our probiotic gut bacteria to thrive, we need probiotic fibre to feed it.
“The state of your gut and gut microbiome influences more than just digestive health but also immune function, detoxification, skin, mood and beyond. Gut health is at the centre of everything,” she says.
But not all supplements are created equal.
“Moodi’s blends use researched, strain-specific probiotics that have been shown to support overall gut health and mood via the gut-brain axis. Moodi’s blends also contain a FODMAP-friendly prebiotic fibre to support daily fibre intake and help probiotics thrive and multiply.”
Where can I buy Moodi’s pre + probiotic blends?
Moodis pre and probiotic bls are available to buy on the Moodi website. For delicious gut-loving goodness on the go, try the sodas: they contain only 3g of sugar per can, but have 7g of fibre to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.