Slideshow: More and more products that improve immunity
The financial insecurity that Americans experienced following the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, and the start of the Great Recession in 2008 is not the same as it is now. This is due to the fact that we are living through a revolution in health and wellness, and the current state of anxieties stems from a public health emergency.
Nowadays, a lot of customers are more in tune with their bodies and conscious of the functional and nutritional qualities that food and drink provide. Products designed to strengthen immunity are in great demand these days.
The products are available in a variety of forms, some of which are geared toward enhancing gut health because a robust immune system is linked to a healthy digestive tract. Enhancing gut health is linked to probiotics and prebiotics. Live microorganisms, primarily lactic acid bacteria, are known as probiotics. After ingestion, they become part of the trillions of bacteria that already exist in the gastrointestinal tract and contribute to the development of a more harmonious microbiota. By inhibiting the adhesion and activity of harmful bacteria in the gut, probiotics support immune function. Dietary fibers known as prebiotics serve as probiotics’ fuel, enabling them to multiply.
The goal of Morton Grove, Illinois-based Lifeway Foods’ 34-year history is to provide probiotics to the gut via kefir, a fermented dairy product. Twelve live, active microorganisms included in Lifeway’s kefir are known to improve immunity and digestion.
“Our company was founded on gut health,” CEO Julie Smolyansky remarked. “Our clients are becoming aware of more than just the advantages of probiotics. They are acting, that is what. Now that they’ve heard about probiotics, more people are looking into their advantages.
Since the coronavirus first appeared, Lifeway’s sales have increased (COVID-19). The business is shipping and receiving record numbers of orders. The company’s drivers replenish refrigerators twice a day in the markets where they work. This equates to over 1,200 bottles of kefir, or 200 cases, selling at a single supermarket in a single day.
“Our quart bottles are selling well,” Ms. Smolyansky declared. “Consumers are investing in their health because they understand its importance. Since kefir is a fermented product, the fermentation naturally serves as a preservative. Because of its extended shelf life, customers are hoarding it.
Because of the high demand for the product and the need for safe social separation in the production and delivery areas, Lifeway is working nonstop to fulfill requests.
“People will cut back on luxury items during times of financial insecurity,” Ms. Smolyansky stated. “However, kefir is a reasonably priced luxury, and people are turning to our products because their health is at stake.”
Additional goods to enhance immunity are foods high in antioxidants, which assist the body in fending against harm caused by free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts of oxidation, a continuous, natural physiological process. Stress, anxiety, and residing in polluted areas can all lead to an increase in the generation of free radicals. Free radicals weaken the body’s defenses against danger by causing aberrant cell growth and reproduction.
Because many botanicals contain chemicals that have immunomodulatory effects and are sources of antioxidants, some are also linked to enhancing immunity. For instance, the primary active component of turmeric is curcumin. It is a potent antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. An recognized anti-inflammatory associated with immune response is ginger root.
Garlic dill, ginger beet, and golden turmeric are just a few of the organically fermented vegetable juice gut shots that Farmhouse Culture in Chicago makes and filters. There are no starter cultures added because the kraut juice used to make the shots already flavorful and wild fermented. The naturally occurring bacteria in the cabbage, which are often a variety of lactic acid probiotics, are present in the juices. There is no dairy or sugar added to the shots.
“Demand for Gut Shot has increased dramatically as consumers look for products that offer immunity benefits,” stated vice president of marketing Brian Evangelista. “We are introducing the 2-oz Gut Shot in fresh thyme, giant, and New Seasons this month. Although retailers have been creating health and wellness areas within their stores, they have been sluggish to start offering wellness shots in place of more conventional supplements. It’s evident that the shot portion is currently receiving a lot of attention. We are moving forward the debut date of our e-commerce to early May because there is clear demand and uncertainty about the reset windows.
It has also been demonstrated that beta glucans from fungus and yeast assist the body’s defense mechanisms. Their mechanism of action as immunomodulators was examined in a scholarly review that was published in the Molecular Nutrition and Food Research Journal on March 29, 2020. Studies reveal that they might “train” immune cells in the body, bringing about modifications that aid in warding off infections.
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The study draws attention to the possibility that the advantages and effectiveness of various beta glucan types may be influenced by structural variations. The balance of evidence, according to the authors, suggests that beta glucans from baker’s yeast have immune-boosting properties, but they also note that more research is necessary.
Scientists worldwide have prioritized immunity support, even as the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concentrates on COVID-19 therapies and vaccines. Attention is also being paid to mental health since COVID-19-related stress and anxiety are negatively impacting brain function.
Numerous studies, according to Ms. Smolyansky, suggest that probiotics may be beneficial for conditions other than gastrointestinal health. They might also subtly improve brain activity.
A collaboration known as the gut-brain axis, which links the gut and brain, was demonstrated by research reported by Harvard Medical School in Boston. The central nervous system, which includes the brain, and the nervous system in the digestive tract, known as the enteric nervous system, are connected via biochemical signals.
According to Ms. Smolyansky, the gut has been referred to as a “second brain” since it generates a large number of the same neurotransmitters as the brain. The stomach is involved in mood regulation. As a result, both brain and gut health are related.
For instance, the brain frequently alerts the gut to discomfort, which may result in diarrhea or a knotted stomach. A bad microbiota can cause the stomach to feel unbalanced, which can lead to anxiety or even melancholy.
Probiotics may help improve mood, improve cognitive performance, and reduce stress and anxiety, according to some study. According to a study published online in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience on Nov. 10, 2016, patients with Alzheimer’s disease who drank milk containing four species of probiotic bacteria for a period of 12 weeks performed better on a test measuring cognitive impairment than those who drank ordinary milk. In a study published in the June 2013 edition of Gastroenterology, it was discovered that women who consumed yogurt containing a blend of probiotics twice a day for four weeks showed less anxiety when shown pictures of scared and angry faces in comparison to a control group.
It is safe to conclude that many companies going forward will be focusing on meals and beverages that aid improve mental health and promote immunity, even though product developers may already be working on these products. There are plenty of opportunities, but those opportunities also come with responsibility. Science is important.
“People will still be afraid after this is over,” Ms. Smolyansky stated. “It is our responsibility to feed them nutrient-dense foods that give them control over their health and a sense of empowerment.”