UAE-based nutritionist and clinical dietitian Riham Shamseddine explains the importance of gut health in relation to physical and mental well-being: “The gut is where digestion happens. There are tiny microorganisms that live in the gut that break down food, making it easier for the body to process nutrients.”
She adds, “Many times we see that people who have unhealthy guts are usually the ones who get sick often because of dysbiosis, which is a disproportion in the growth of micoorganisms in the gut.”
The benefit of ‘free-from’ products
The importance of the gut for mental health cannot be underscored, and Riham says, “We say that the gut is our second brain because the vagus nerve connects it to the brain. Gut bacteria inside our gastrointestinal tract produce neurotransmitters and hormones like serotonin and melatonin, which influence mood and behaviour.” This means gut health directly impacts cognition and emotional well-being. High-quality, hormone-free and pesticide-free foods, such as those offered by Koita, help maintain this balance.
There is also the microbiome to consider: our gut is home to trillions of bacteria, collectively known as the microbiome. A balanced microbiome is essential for breaking down food, fighting pathogens and producing essential vitamins. Hormone-free and pesticide-free foods support a healthy microbiome by providing high-quality nutrients without the disruption caused by synthetic chemicals and antibiotics.
Koita’s lactose-free milks and dairy products are made from hormone- and antibiotic-free Italian cow’s milk
All Koita products, including its non-dairy milks, are free of pesticides and artificial preservatives
Managing and understanding lactose intolerance Lactose intolerance is a common condition where the body cannot adequately digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Riham says, “We have lactose intolerance when we don’t have the lactase enzyme needed to digest lactose, which is usually present in cow’s milk.” She explains that lactose is made from two sugars – galactose and glucose – which need to be broken down into two single sugars. “When people don’t have this enzyme, then they can experience bloating, diarrhoea, gas, abdominal pain and cramping, and sometimes nausea and discomfort.”
For those with lactose intolerance, choosing lactose-free milk is an effective way to manage symptoms while still obtaining the nutritional benefits of dairy. “Lactose-free milk simply means adding lactase to the milk to break down lactose into two simple sugars,” Riham says, and adds that this might be why – despite no added sugars – lactose-free milk might taste sweeter, because of the presence of two sugars.
Koita offers a range of hormone-, pesticide- and lactose-free milk from Italy. This provides an excellent alternative for those with lactose intolerance. Riham adds, “It tastes the same as regular cow’s milk without compromising on any nutrients. With Koita milk, for example, the calcium, protein, vitamin D and other minerals are the same [as regular cow’s milk]. You will not feel any bloating and can still enjoy drinks without compromising on the flavour and at the same time support your digestive health.”
“The good thing about Koita is that it is free of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and preservatives – which is good for us and for the environment,” Riham adds. She concludes, “We, as consumers, have the choice to invest in our health. We must be wise when we are choosing your food for ourselves and our family, because these choices have long-term effects.”
For more information, visit koita.com and @itskoita on Instagram.
