Trust Your Gut

When it comes to mental health, the connection between the gut and brain is more important than you might think.

There’s a reason we feel butterflies in our stomach when we're nervous or excited, or why we trust those 'gut reactions'. It turns out our gut and brain are in constant communication, sending signals back and forth. Our bodies often sense things before we even realise it and can be the first sign to telling us when something isn’t quite right.

Our gut and brain are in constant communication, and at the heart of this connection is something called the gut-brain axis, and a key tool in keeping this running smoothly is our gut microbiome.

Think of the gut-brain axis as a phone line sending signals between the digestive system and the brain, with our gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria living in our intestines, acting as the operators ensuring those messages get through. These bacteria don’t just digest our food; they also help produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, the so-called happy hormone, which plays a major role in regulating mood, anxiety, and overall happiness. 

When your gut microbiome is thriving, it supports all these vital functions. But when things are off-balance, it can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression. Many of us might not immediately link feeling down with what we ate for lunch, but research shows it’s all connected. It turns out that what we feed our bodies directly impacts how we feel, both mentally and emotionally.

Gut health and mental wellbeing go hand-in-hand. Poor gut health increases the risk of mental health problems like depression and anxiety. What’s more, poor mental health can harm your gut microbiome, increasing inflammation and weakening the gut barrier. 

So, how can we nurture this powerful connection? While diet alone won’t solve mental health issues, supporting your gut microbiome with nourishing foods can certainly help with emotional balance. Wholesome, nutrient-dense options, like fresh vegetables, organic meats, and fermented foods (think sauerkraut or kefir) are some of the best ways to help foster a diverse and thriving gut microbiome, which plays a key role in supporting mental health.

When it comes to organic meat, the benefits extend beyond great taste. Organic, grass-fed meats are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and are known to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Lean cuts like our organic lamb or beef don’t just make a tasty meal, they also help promote healthy gut function.

Our secret weapon for gut health is organic bone broth. Slowly simmered over hours to extract all the nutrients from our organic stock bones, homemade bone broth is rich in collagen, gelatin, and essential amino acids that help to heal the gut lining and support digestion. Making your own bone broth is super simple, but we also carry a range of Borough Broth Co organic bone broths too. These are packed full of flavour and easily digestible, gut friendly nutrients. Simply heat up a mug for a soothing drink or use it as a base for soups and stews.

By nourishing our bodies with organic, nutrient-rich foods, we’re also looking after our mental wellbeing. It’s not just food on a plate, it’s a small but powerful step for both our health and happiness.

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Explore our organic range to help keep your gut and your mind in balance.