Crowded patios, the smell of the BBQ tickling the nose and exciting the taste buds, outdoor events bringing to life the masses out in the fresh air… the summer season has finally arrived! With the beautiful weather, it may be the lazy days of summer, but the more relaxed pace also puts us into a vacation mindset, leading to a higher consumption of alcohol, cocktails, fried foods and, fortunately, seasonal fruits and vegetables. However, a change in lifestyle seems to be taking place: increasingly, people want to enjoy these summer pleasures while taking care of their health—demand for alcohol-free and reduced-sugar cocktails is on the rise, to the delight of our gut bacterial population. The large quantities of added sugars found in some drinks can affect the movement of the intestines gradually changing the populations of bacteria found in the gut. This change, called “dysbiosis,” can have negative consequences on overall health by altering the performance of the immune system and predisposing the individual to irritable bowel syndrome and certain chronic diseases (type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, etc.). Overconsuming alcohol, even at a single party, should also be considered, given its impact on the microbiota since it promotes production of inflammatory markers. Moderate to high consumption of alcohol also correlates larger waist circumference due to added sugars and alcohol. Knowing what we know about the negative effects of alcohol, it might be wise to just say 'no'. But we also know that alcohol is a part of our culture and harsh, rigid rules to little to set someone up for success in the long term. Instead, knowing what we know, if you do choose to drink, it's a good idea to understand that alcohol does have an impact on your gut, and it’s wise to support your digestive health and the gut bacteria that call it home. There are many ways to boost the work of bacteria in the digestive tract, including eating fermented food on a daily basis, getting enough fiber, eating fewer processed foods (that are higher in sugar and saturated fats), including vegetable proteins and probiotics such as Bio-K+ in our diets. The bacterial strains contained in Bio-K+ probiotics are recognized and clinically proven for their synergistic effect, which means that they are not competing for the same task, but have learned to work together to increase your good bacteria, ensure optimal conditions for their growth and decrease your bad bacteria. So, let’s raise our glass to the health of our intestines for optimal overall health and choose beverages without alcohol or added sugar! This Piña Colada Mocktail recipe is bursting with fresh flavours while stimulating the active work of your gut microbiota. As a bonus, you will consume fewer calories and carbs, as this recipe contains 135 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving, unlike the original version which has 460 calories and 60g, respectively. Preparation time: 10 minutes Servings: 2 Ingredients ½ cup fresh pineapple 1 bottle of Coconut Bio-K+ 2/3 cup pineapple juice ½ banana 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 10 ice cubes Garnish 2 triangles of pineapple 2 slices of lime Preparation In a blender, puree the pineapple, Bio-K+, pineapple juice, banana and pure vanilla extract. Once pureed, add the 10 ice cubes and crush until the texture is grainy, but smooth enough to drink with a straw. Pour into a cocktail glass and add a triangle of pineapple and a slice of lime as a garnish. Serve and enjoy! Did you try this recipe? Let us know in comments below! Join our community for more healthy tips. Click here to find a store near you. Contact or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
