*contains 50% less sugar than ordinary non sugar reduced crunchy müeslis
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Daniela, Foodie & International Key Account Manager,
with bio-familia since 1999
“To successfully balance job and family life, I rely on a balanced diet. In our case, Bifidus Activ is part of it because a good gut feeling enhances mood and strengthens mental balance.”
Daniela, Foodie & International Key Account Manager, |
Sun-ripened strawberries are daily hand-picked during harvest time in the strawberry fields, over a period of 4 to 5 weeks. The degree of self-sufficiency of strawberries from Switzerland is only about 30% and these are mostly used for fresh consumption. Therefore, the strawberries for our müesli come from Turkey, Serbia and Poland. Thanks to the freeze-drying process, the strawberries retain their colour, shape and structure optimally. The smell and taste remain unchanged, in comparison to conventionally dried fruit.
For our müesli we source as much oat flakes as possible from Switzerland. We support Swiss oat farmers who direct their production on the principles of regenerative agriculture and focus on healthy soils: www.agricultura-regeneratio.ch. Nevertheless, the demand for Swiss oats is bigger than the supply. For such reason we have to supplement part of our needs with European oats. Rolled oats are an indispensable ingredient for our müesli. Even the wholefood-pioneer Dr. Bircher-Benner relied on oat flakes in his original Birchermüesli recipe – and to this day we stick to it. As they contain several vitamins B, magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron and other important nutrients, they are a true superfood. Thanks to their many soluble dietary fibres they are very good for the digestion.
We largely source our currants from Poland, a country whose climate conditions allow regular high-quality harvests. Red currants are grown in shrubs. Harvesting them is a highly intricate process that must be carried out by hand. For this reason, they are available in limited amounts.
Oligofructose is a natural dietary fiber produced from the chicory root. Our supplier in Germany, specialized in functional fibers, processes raw ingredients from Belgium for this purpose. Oligofructose helps the clusters remain chuncky in the baked muesli, which otherwise would only be possible with granulated sugar. This way we can do without part of the sugar – retaining the full crunchy experience.
Similar to oats, the level of self-sufficiency for sunflower oil in Switzerland is very low, at only about 5–10%. For this reason, we not only source it from Switzerland, but also from other European countries, Africa and South America. We need sunflower oil to bake our Müesli. Its neutral taste and ideal behaviour at different temperatures makes it the perfect choice, and we only ever use as much of it as necessary.
The crystal sugar used in our müesli is made from the juice of Swiss beet. Thanks to the sugar, our baked müesli become crispy (oder crunchy?) and are formed into beautiful clusters. It gives the müesli also its pleasant sweetness. Since we do not use artificial sweeteners for our familia products, we apply sugar consciously. How much sugar we use for each müesli is always a compromise between enjoyment and health. In our online-shop you will find an overview of the products with little or no added sugar.
The spelt flakes come from Germany. The roasted flakes provide an extra portion of airy crunch in your müesli.
For your Bifidus activ müesli, this is probably the most important ingredient: The strawberry granulate contains millions of Bifidus cultures. These contribute to a good gut feeling.
19.01.2024, bio-familia
What role does our gut play in our overall well-being? And what do Bifidus cultures have to do with it? To answer these questions, we first need to take a detour into the world of the gut – probably the most underestimated organ. In doing so, we address the following questions:
• What functions does our gut fulfill in our body?
• What is meant by the term «gut microbiota»?
• What can we do to promote our gut health?"
The gut is a 5.4-meter-long tube with a diameter of 3-5 cm. Its inner surface consists of folds, villi, and so-called microvilli, causing a massive enlargement of the gut surface and ensuring highly efficient nutrient absorption. However, our gut is not only responsible for proper nutrient absorption and the regulation of hunger and satiety – it is also actively involved in the regulation of metabolism, the immune system, as well as the nervous system and hormones. We will explain how this works in the next section.
Just as the Gotthard Pass in Europe is a crucial transportation axis, the recently discovered gut-brain axis appears to be one of the most significant communication axes in the human organism. Put simply, communication between the gut and the brain occurs through three pathways: via the vagus nerve, connecting the gut and brain; through hormones released by the gut, and also through the gut bacteria. Throughout their lives, these bacteria produce various metabolic products and immune cells. The gut influences the brain much more strongly than previously thought, with 80-90% of information flowing from the gut to the brain and only 10-20% from the brain to the gut. This fact, along with the realization that many people with chronic illnesses have issues with their gut, quickly led science to the chicken-and-egg question: Could it be that an unhealthy gut predisposes the development of other diseases or even serves as the cause of various chronic conditions? Everything so far points to an unhealthy gut being at the beginning. What does this mean for us? If we want to feel healthy for as long as possible, we should be mindful of our gut and its inhabitants. Before delving into the details of how we can do this, let's first get to know the gut inhabitants a bit better in the next section.
The gut microbiota, colloquially known as the gut flora, encompasses all bacteria, fungi, and viruses living in the intestines. Various bacterial families are present in the gut, such as the genera Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Escherichia, and more. Depending on the composition of the gut microbiota, different metabolic products and immune cells are produced, exerting a direct impact on our physical and mental health. The production of more anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory substances has either positive or negative health consequences. In a healthy gut microbiota, there is, simplistically put, an ideal balance between health-promoting and harmful bacteria, with the diversity of bacteria also playing a role. A large variety of different bacteria is associated with a healthy microbiota. Imbalance in the microbiota, termed dysbiosis in scientific literature, occurs when pro-inflammatory or "bad" bacteria dominate, sending various pro-inflammatory signals via the gut-brain axis to the brain and other parts of the body. This can result in an overall feeling of discomfort. It is now known that the microbiota plays a key role in mood, cognition, pain, and the regulation of body weight. How can we positively influence our microbiota and thereby achieve greater physical and mental well-being?
Taking care of our gut involves exerting a positive influence on the bacteria residing within it, known as the microbiota. The development of the microbiota begins very early, during birth. A natural birth combined with subsequent breastfeeding is the perfect start in life, promoting the diversity of the microbiota, especially health-promoting bacterial genera like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. However, even if the start in life is different, a healthy gut microbiota is still achievable. Much can be influenced through a healthy diet and sufficient physical activity. In a healthy or microbiota-friendly diet, two substances play a key role: the so-called prebiotics and probiotics.
Prebiotics are non-digestible substances and belong to dietary fibers that the microbiota uses as an energy source or "food." The resulting anti-inflammatory substances have a positive effect on our health. Prebiotics are abundant in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Examples of prebiotics used in our muesli include inulin and oligofructose. Currently, the recommended daily intake of dietary fibers is 25-35 grams, but the ideal amount is likely higher, around 50 grams. Probiotics are living microorganisms, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, that exert a positive effect on our health. Good sources of probiotics include foods like yogurt, kefir, or sauerkraut. Such mostly fermented foods not only contain probiotics but also other health-promoting substances.
To incorporate gut-friendly substances like prebiotics in sufficient amounts, the Mediterranean diet is highly suitable. Alongside ample dietary fibers from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, the diet is characterized by its anti-inflammatory secondary plant compounds (such as polyphenols) and high-quality fats (olive oil, fish, nuts, seeds).
Regular consumption of fermented foods or foods containing health-promoting bacterial cultures.
Physical activity promotes microbiota diversity – the more frequent and intense the activity, the greater the impact on diversity. Don't forget about relaxation after exercise (see the last point)!
Excessive sweets contribute to dysbiosis or the growth of health-damaging gut bacteria.
Certain additives like artificial sweeteners and emulsifiers also contribute to dysbiosis or the growth of health-damaging gut bacteria.
If not absolutely necessary, avoid the use of antibiotics. In certain illnesses, antibiotic therapy is, however, essential and life-saving.
Stress management, adequate relaxation and sleep play a crucial role in maintaining a gut-friendly lifestyle. Consider mindfulness practices or other activities that promote mental well-being.
For those who have paid close attention, it's noticeable that our Bifidus activ Granola supports your good gut feel. With its high dietary fiber content and active Bifidus cultures, it contributes to the first two aspects already. ;-) Learn more about the product here.
Städte Bern & Zürich inkl. Agglomerationen, Stadt Luzern, in Teilen der Kantone OW/NW.
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