Danone announces launch of Activia Gut Health Board

Dr Zoe Williams and David Zilber, among other global voices, have teamed up to announce the launch of The Activia Gut Health Board, a collaboration of world leading voices in gut health and nutrition existing to help consumers navigate the intricate world of gut health.

It comes as new research commissioned by Activia has revealed that a quarter of people (30 per cent) are more aware of the importance of gut health now than they were a year ago, however there is still work to be done as a quarter of consumers (29 per cent) are unaware gut health goes beyond just digestion. A new global study has revealed that 30 per cent of people are more aware of the importance of good gut health now than they were a year ago, with one in seven (16 per cent) now prioritising looking after their gut health over taking care of their physical appearance. However, the study has spotlighted widespread misconceptions about gut health with those from the US (30 per cent) more likely to believe gut health only affects the digestive system.

With three quarters (75 per cent) of participants stating they would welcome credible advice on gut health, Activia has today revealed the creation of The Activia Gut Health Board. This collaboration of world-leading voices in gut health and nutrition has been convened to help consumers across the globe better understand and take care of their gut health and wellbeing.

The Activia Gut Health Board includes:

• Jessie Inchauspé: biochemist and New York Times bestselling author of Glucose Revolution and The Glucose Goddess Method
• Boticaria García: Doctor of Pharmacy, nutritionist, scientific communicator and educator
• David Zilber: professional chef and fermenter who gained prominence as the former Director of Fermentation at Noma and the original series on Gut Health on MasterClass
• Dr. Zoe Williams: a physician, physical activity champion and television personality
• Andrea Hardy: registered dietitian and Canada’s top gut health expert

Nutrition is a key factor to support gut health, with over half of respondents (55 per cent) revealing they have a consistent gut-friendly morning routine, in line with guidance to eat a fibre-rich breakfast. But the need for clearer advice remains important, as over half (55 per cent) reveal they are not knowledgeable on how best look after their gut.

The Activia Gut Health Board will meet monthly with Activia to discuss trends and how to help consumers navigate the fascinating world of gut health, combining their collective knowledge and leveraging their complimentary expertise to drive education around the benefits of a proactive daily gut health routine and help craft impactful solutions and services for consumers.

At their inaugural meeting at Danone’s Global Research & Innovation Centre in Saclay, Paris, The Activia Gut Health Board shared five essential steps that they take to support their gut health:

1. Boticaria García: One of the best ways to support my gut health is by feeding my microbiome its favourite food: fibre.
2. Jessie Inchauspé: I have a portion of veggies at the beginning of my meals to get some good healthy fibre that will feed my gut bacteria.
3. Dr. Zoe Williams: Pairing Probiotics with Prebiotics: For optimal gut health, combine probiotic foods such as yoghurts and kefir with prebiotic-rich foods like bananas, onions, garlic, and whole grains. Prebiotics act as food for the probiotics, helping them thrive and maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
4. David Zilber: By weight, I try to have around 20 per cent of your meals consist of fermented foods—be that sourdough bread in your sandwich, a kombucha for lunch instead of soda, or yogurt as the dairy in your breakfast instead of milk—some of the most telling studies about the impacts of fermented food on gut health strived for those numbers, which equated to just 100g per meal.
5. Andrea Hardy: If I’m stressed, so is my gut. I try to incorporate strategies to take care of my mental health each and every day – like practising gratitude, spending time with my family and time away from technology.

“Just as exercise is vital for physical health, taking care of your microbiome is essential for overall wellbeing," said David Zilber. "By incorporating fermented foods into our diets, we not only enhance our meals with unique flavours but also support a diverse and healthy microbiome."

Rita Pestana, Global President Functional Dairy at Danone added: “At Activia, we've been pioneering the topic of Gut Health for 40 years and believe that looking after your gut every day is essential. This global research now reveals that consumers are looking for simple and credible information they can trust and for relevant solutions across products and services. This is why we’ve convened these world-leading experts to partner with us to address this challenge together and to ensure Activia is always at the forefront of supporting people’s gut health, even as their needs and preferences evolve.”