Oxfordshire start-up BellyBiotics looking to improve gut health

A start-up from Thame, Oxfordshire is hoping it has the recipe for success with its new subscription boxes, which aim to promote good gut health.

BellyBiotics, founded by Laura Fellows, a graduate in forensic science, offers a combination of snacks, drinks, meal ingredients plus a monthly magazine to help people learn more about so-called prebiotics and other gut-supporting compounds in food.

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Prebiotics are likened to "fertiliser" for the gut, where good bacteria is important for health and yet, most people do not eat enough variety of prebiotic-containing foods to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

When prebiotics are broken down by bacteria, they produce all sorts of good stuff such as vitamins, short-chain fatty acids, enzymes and more.

"We aren't aiming to turn people into food scientists, but we are hoping to help people think more about what they eat," said Laura.

"We’ve done it for ourselves and we feel fantastic. Making a shift in food choices is much easier when you get a box each month that gives you products to try, recipes to use them in, practical tips and information - plus a smidge of the sciencey stuff too.

"That's what we were looking for, and we couldn’t find it - so here it is, we created it for ourselves to share with the world."

The BellyBiotics boxes, which are shipped once a month with no minimum contract, take information about gut health and pair it with hand-picked products.

The magazine also covers other areas around gut health in monthly features. Each month has a theme and subtheme designed to support ongoing learning about food and the different ingredients that can support good gut bacteria.

As well as information, there are recipes for people who like to get creative in the kitchen, and practical tips for anyone wanting to save time or money but still eat a prebiotic-rich diet.

Find out more about BellyBiotics HERE.