Gut Health & Allergy Season
Written by Pete Rosier
Reviewed By Kristen Stavridis BSc (Hons)
How can the Gut respond to allergies?
It starts the same every year—sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and a foggy head that makes even the simplest task feel hard. As pollen counts rise, so does the number of people dreading the outdoors. Hayfever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, affects 1 in 4 people in the UK - around 16 million individuals. But what if support could come from within?
While many reach for antihistamines, an emerging area of science suggests that your gut might be just as important in how your body responds to allergens. That’s because 70–80% of your immune cells live in the gut, making gut health one of your greatest tools in allergy season.
Biotiful Kefir, naturally fermented and rich in billions of live cultures, supports the diversity and strength of your gut microbiome. This microbial ecosystem helps train your immune system to tell the difference between harmless pollen and true threats, which may reduce the severity of your symptoms.
So whether you're stepping into spring or braving a high pollen day, a daily dose of Biotiful Kefir might be your secret weapon to keeping hayfever in check - from the inside out.
Gut Health & Allergy Season: The Inside Story
Allergy symptoms can feel overwhelming,
especially when pollen levels spike. But science is uncovering a powerful
connection between gut health and how your body reacts to allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander.
Your immune system’s ability to react
appropriately depends heavily on the health of your gut microbiome—the
trillions of bacteria living in your digestive tract. When this ecosystem is
balanced and diverse, your immune system is more likely to respond calmly and
effectively.
“A healthy gut supports a functioning
immune system. A diverse and balanced gut microbiome enables optimal immune
function and helps reduce the intensity of allergic reactions.” — Kristen Stavridis, Nutritionist at Biotiful
Why Your Gut Might Be Behind Your Sneezes
Your gut’s immune cells, particularly
those in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), are
in constant communication with the outside world, including airborne allergens
like pollen. When your gut is healthy, these immune cells are better equipped
to recognise harmless substances and avoid overreacting.
But when you don't have a gut microbiome that is healthy and filled
with variety of specific beneficial gut bugs, this can make you more
sensitive to allergens like pollen
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Supporting your gut during allergy season is simple and delicious.
Biotiful Kefir is a natural source of:
- Billions of live cultures to replenish beneficial gut bacteria
- Vitamin B12, which helps support your immune system and reduce fatigue
- Natural protein, to support balanced energy throughout the day
And it’s more than just what you add. A
fibre-rich, plant-diverse diet feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut, promoting a resilient immune response.
Fermented foods like kefir give your microbiome the daily support it needs to stay balanced—even when the pollen
count soars.
Improve your gut health and reduce bloating
Science Says: Fermented Foods Can Calm the Immune System
A growing body of research shows that adding
even one serving of fermented foods per day can reduce markers of immune system
inflammation and improve microbiome diversity - both key factors in how your
body handles allergies.
“One daily portion of fermented foods can
help reduce immune system inflammation and support your body’s response to
allergens.”
— The Independent, 2024
Science Says: Fermented Foods Can Calm the Immune System
A growing body of research shows that adding
even one serving of fermented foods per day can reduce markers of immune system
inflammation and improve microbiome diversity - both key factors in how your
body handles allergies.
