Rhubarb is native to Asia and has been used in ancient Chinese medicine. Whilst a vegetable we love to use it as a popular family dessert. Rhubarb has Vitamin K, anthocyanins and fibre – all the right ingredients to support your gut health! Filling: 1 bunch of rhubarb – leaves and stalk ends removed and chopped coarsely 2 apples – cored and chopped coarsely 1/8 cup of coconut sugar ¼ cup of water Crumble: ¾ cup of oats 2 tbsp of pumpkin seeds 2 tbsp of sunflower seeds 2 tbsp of chia seeds 1/8 cup of coconut sugar ¼ cup of coconut oil Combine all the crumble ingredients together. If you wis ..read more

Every system in the body relies on the restorative effects of sleep – especially the brain. Sleep literally resets the brain with the glymphatic system conducting a “brain-wash” overnight. Think of it as housekeeping for the brain’s waste products that are produced during the waking hours. Our rhythm of life – a circadian rhythm that uses a light/dark cycle for internal body processes and our gut bacteria also have their own day and night routine. So, chronic poor sleep affects your hormones, your mood, and your gut microbes. Chronic sleep deprivation increases your risks of developing obesity ..read more

Wellness is more than feeling okay, it’s about having vitality and energy all day long, and the ability to rest well at night. Looking after yourself means quality rest, quality relationships, a nutritious diet, as well as daily movement. Below we will focus on the movement part of what it means to be in good health. Being in nature positively affects your digestive health Movement in nature is an accessible intervention for stress, helping to decrease inflammation and improve overall wellness – including your digestive health. Being in nature enriches your exposure to microbial diversity, po ..read more

Have you really considered why adults and children alike are reminded to eat more plants? Plants are complex carbohydrates and through the fibre they contain, plants feed our gut bugs. The more diverse the plants in the diet, the more diverse the fibre, which in turn nurtures a more diverse and balanced gut microbiome. Why are plants so powerful? They have evolved their own form of defence against ultraviolet radiation or aggression by pathogens by utilising the antioxidant properties of these polyphenols which protect from damage caused by free radical oxygen molecules. What about polyphenols ..read more

Dairy is often associated with food intolerances but yoghurt does have its benefits, particularly when you choose goat, sheep or nut alternatives. The health benefits are mostly through the beneficial bacteria it contains however there are better fermented options that have a wider variety of microorganisms you could consider.   Do you know how commercial yoghurt is made? Did you know that the starter culture for yoghurt requires L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus which are less tolerant to the acid within the upper digestive system? A single serve (tub, usually around 170g ..read more

If you don’t yet follow Nicole (@kalejunkie) you’re missing out! Here at Team Akesi we LOVE Nicole’s recipes. Below is a favourite of ours, we love the texture and the flavour…. and that it has zucchini inside yet you would never guess – it will keep your taste buds and your gut bugs happy! Ingredients 1 and 3/4 cup almond flour  1/4 cup raw cacao powder 1/4 cup melted coconut oil  1/2 cup almond butter 2 eggs 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (70% or darker) 1/2 cup maple syrup 1 tsp baking soda 2 medium size zucchini, peeled then finely grated (about 1/2-3/4 cup) ¼ teaspoon sea salt Met ..read more

You will likely have heard of your gut being referred to as your second brain, but have you ever wondered why? Your gut and your brain are linked by neurotransmitters, nerves and complex feedback loops. The vagus nerve represents the superhighway of this communication, and psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression may have some connection to issues starting in the gut. What you eat impacts how your brain works and one way this is mediated is through the role of the gut microbiota. Loss in the overall diversity and the balance of microbial species is caused by poor lifestyle ..read more

The gut microbiome is one of the principal regulators of estrogen. A subset of the microbiome can be thought of as the estrobolome – the gut bacteria that secrete an enzyme (beta glucuronidase) which converts estrogen into its active form. There is a two-way relationship between the gut microbiome and estrogen. The key is having the right amount of estrogen for your body. Having a healthy, balanced and diverse microbiome which in turn plays a key role in estrogen metabolism is important throughout a woman’s lifetime. Your estrogen level doesn’t just impact the parts of you that are female, the ..read more

Every system in the body relies on the restorative effects of sleep – especially the brain. Sleep literally resets the brain with the glymphatic system conducting a “brain-wash” overnight. Think of it as housekeeping for the brain’s waste products that are produced during the waking hours. Our rhythm of life – a circadian rhythm that uses a light/dark cycle for internal body processes and our gut bacteria also have their own day and night routine. So, chronic poor sleep affects your hormones, your mood, and your gut microbes. Chronic sleep deprivation increases your risks of developing obesity ..read more

To learn, study and retain information we need to optimise the body systems that underpin this performance. Below are some ways to improve the brain-gut connection to help your child study better: Gut Health What you eat impacts how your brain works and one way this is mediated is through the role of the gut microbiota. Food is medicine – think of it like this – what, how and when you eat are opportunities to optimise your brain, how it works and ultimately how you feel. If you can fix the gut you can go some way to fixing your brain.    Digital Exposure  Did you know that ..read more