Keeping your gut in good health this festive season

December can be a time of real overindulgence. From office Christmas drinks, to turkey and all the trimmings on December 25, to boozy New Year's celebrations, it can be a testing time for our bodies.

- By EMMA JOHNSON

Charlotte Winter, biochemist and consulting nutritionist for health supplements brand AxisBiotix says: "A healthy digestive system is key to feeling energised throughout the holiday and Christmas season.

"But festive celebrations often bring about erratic eating schedules and indulgent meals and drinks that are high in refined sugars and saturated fat - both of which can disrupt the gut microbiome."

Here, Charlotte, who co-founded online recipe platform The Nutritional Biochemist, shares five expert-backed strategies to keep your gut health in optimal shape for the festive season.

1. Keep moving.

Physical activity has been shown to influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota (the mix of microorganisms that live in a particular environment, such as the human gut or skin).