Beauty
Why “Gut Shots” Could Be the Key to a Healthy Holiday Season
Meet the secret to enjoying your Thanksgiving feast—sans food coma-induced slump….
Thanksgiving is here, and diet-wise, all bets are off. Whether you’re with family or a quarantine buddy this year, by the laws of tradition you reserve the right to indulge in as much tangy cranberry sauce and sweet potato-and-marshmallow casserole as you so desire. And while most guts have become relatively well seasoned in the art of weathering the annual marathon meal, let’s be honest: There’s plenty of room for improvement in helping our bodies bounce back from the feast (so as not to fall into a food coma-induced slump for the rest of the break).
This is where California-based organic food brand Farmhouse Culture’s range of probiotic Gut Shots can be of service, says Vincent Pedre, M.D., medical director of Pedre Integrative Health and author of Happy Gut. “A shot of a sour, probiotic-based drink can help stimulate the release of gastric enzymes, which prepare your stomach for the food that it is about to begin digesting,” he says of the liquids made from the brine of sauerkraut. “This is especially useful before a large meal when your body needs to pump out those digestive juices to help you break down the food efficiently.”
While producing similar effects to that of bitter-tasting apple cider vinegar or saccharine kombucha, Pedre notes the equal parts unique and flavorful combinations—including apple cinnamon and turmeric ginger—as well as the low sugar content. The latter being a big draw, particularly for women, as kombucha is very high in sugar, which is a food source for yeast.
The long and short of it is, the cultured vegetable juices makes food more bioavailable, says Farmhouse Culture founder Kathryn Lukas, who first became passionate about sauerkraut in the ’90s as an American expat running a restaurant in Germany, where fermented raw cabbage is incorporated into many traditional drinks and dishes. “When the Germans were hung over, they drank kraut juice,” she explains. “When they were sick, they drank kraut juice. It’s high in vitamin C and potassium, so it’s really healing and therapeutic when you’re under the weather, too.” A secret weapon for boosting digestion and reducing bloating, it’s also a solution for when you have one drink too many this holiday season. But the benefits of incorporating the surprisingly pleasant zings of kraut-based juices into your diet go even further.
“They help maintain the integrity of the gut lining, balance the body’s pH, and serve as natural antibiotics and antifungals,” explains Lukas, who began studying traditional food cultures and ancient fermentation techniques at the Natural Chef Culinary Program at Bauman College back in the States before launching Farmhouse Culture in 2008. “They also help regulate immunity and control inflammation, as well as help metabolize sources of fuel and liberate certain nutrients within your diet.” But most important, a shot or two of kraut juice a day can enrich the number of beneficial bacteria, as well as the diversity of the microflora, which will improve overall health and prevent disease in the long run.
And the evening of your Thanksgiving feast is the perfect time to have at it. For one, it’s often a spread that’s not particularly rich in fiber. “It can be a meal that stops you up,” points out Lukas, who not only takes a gut shot prior to every meal, but also 15 minutes after, as “the acids and probiotics ease digestion.” And while it may be a harder sell to your loved ones than, say, a bottle of Champagne, Lukas insists gut shots could become a fun holiday tradition. Not just because throwing them back brings everyone together, but when you consider the power of the gut-brain connection, adding healthy bacteria to the mix will inherently contribute to an even more joyous occasion. Happy guts, happy family.
Stay updated! Click the Google News follow button for more news and updates.
Follow on Google NewsFeatured
Carmen Bryan’s Cryptic Post Stirs the Pot in Jay-Z Controversy
The hip-hop industry currently faces substantial controversy as Jay-Z finds himself in the eye of a storm. Allegations of sexual assault stemming from a 2000 afterparty involving the illustrious rap mogul and disgraced music executive Diddy have ignited fierce public debate. While Jay-Z categorically denies the accusations and expresses his intent to contest the lawsuit, the court of public sentiment appears to have already rendered its verdict. Further complicating this turmoil is the involvement of Carmen Bryan, a name from Jay’s contentious history, which has added a chilling layer to the evolving situation.
Carmen Bryan, recognized for her decade-long affair with the Brooklyn rapper, recently took to Instagram with a cryptic yet pointed post. Although she refrained from naming anyone directly, Bryan suggested that loyalty often supersedes ethical morality in cases involving influential individuals. “These days, people don’t defend what is right; they defend who they like,” she wrote. Her parting shot, “And that’s why we call you a groupie,” felt like a verbal mic drop, leaving little doubt about who her words targeted.
The intrigue didn’t stop there. Bryan shared a snapshot of Jay-Z’s lyrics from his 2010 track “Monster,” honing in on a particularly unsettling line: “Kill a block, I murder the avenues, I rape and pillage your village, women and children.” Though these lyrics were part of a more extensive metaphorical verse showcasing a “monster” persona, their resurfacing in this context feels calculated and ominous.
Bryan is no stranger to controversy, having previously aired her grievances toward Jay-Z. In her 2006 memoir, It’s No Secret: From Nas to Jay-Z, Seduction to Scandal, she detailed their affair and its tumultuous fallout. Additionally, she revealed in a 2017 interview that she had been pregnant with Jay-Z’s child, only to suffer a miscarriage. The relationship, fraught with personal and public conflict, remains a blemish on Jay-Z’s meticulously crafted, otherwise carefully curated narrative. Carmen Bryan’s multifaceted approach raises pertinent questions: Is she simply sharing her perspective on morality in the industry, or does she possess additional undisclosed knowledge?
While the allegations against Jay-Z are still under legal evaluation, Bryan’s Instagram post has reignited another dimension to the complex and polarizing discussions about power dynamics, accountability, and the ethical responsibilities of those influential individuals in the spotlight. Her courageous decision to use Jay-Z’s lyrics against him paints a stark picture that forces fans and critics alike to reckon with the blurred lines between art and reality.
As the legal proceedings involving Jay-Z progress, the public remains split amid this developing saga. While Jay-Z’s peers have predominantly expressed skepticism toward the allegations, the enduring legacy of this iconic figure hangs in precarious balance, with shadows from the past casting long and potentially damning silhouettes.
Featured
Jay-Z Engrossed in Fresh Allegations as Tony Buzbee Claims More Victims
In a stunning twist to an already high-stakes legal dispute unfolding with the intensity of a Hollywood thriller, Jay-Z, one of music’s most preeminent figures, finds himself at the center of an explosive allegation involving minors. This drama stems from accusations brought forth by attorney Tony Buzbee and has escalated a conflict that began with a lawsuit over alleged extortion. Buzbee, who represents a woman accusing the music mogul of sexually assaulting her at the 2000 MTV VMAs afterparty, claims there are additional alleged victims, involving both male and female minors.
Jay-Z and his attorney, Alex Spiro, aren’t backing down. They have initiated a countersuit against Buzbee, vehemently denying the allegations and characterizing them as “entirely fabricated and malicious.” Spiro’s filing asserts that Buzbee’s accusations are part of a calculated scheme to tarnish the rapper’s reputation and coerce a settlement. “These baseless accusations are nothing more than a weapon in a calculated plot,” Spiro stated, doubling down on their stance that the allegations are devoid of any factual basis.
The case took another dramatic turn when the woman Buzbee represents amended her lawsuit against Diddy to include Jay-Z. The timing of the amendment and the salacious nature of the claims have fueled a media frenzy, leaving the hip-hop icon fighting a battle both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion.
Late Sunday, Jay-Z fired back with a defiant statement on X (formerly Twitter). “What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle,” he wrote. “No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!”
This case is now racing against the clock, with Jay-Z’s legal representatives seeking an emergency hearing to address the allegations. Their urgency stems from the relentless media coverage, which poses a substantial risk to the Roc Nation founder’s reputation. This matter extends beyond a mere legal confrontation; it encompasses significant implications beyond the courtroom, a fight for his legacy.
The stakes are exceptionally high. Legal counsel Buzbee hints at the potential existence of additional alleged victims, thereby intensifying the spotlight scrutiny placed on both parties involved. With careers, reputations, and justice on the line, this legal showdown is poised to become a critical juncture within the music and entertainment industry. For fans and observers alike, the unfolding circumstances prompt inquiries regarding the veracity of the claims and the tactical weaponization of reputation in the court of public discourse.
