Your gut does more than digest food – it supports immunity, mental health and energy levels, making it vital to look after

When she died in 2024, Spain’s Maria Branyas was the world’s oldest woman. She was 117. Experts believe the secret to her longevity may have been the bacteria living in her gut – her microbiome – and

This issue, with a focus on gut health, our three wise women share their perspectives and offer advice on improving this huge part of the health puzzle.

Johnny Drain Adventures in Fermentation From ancient origins to culinary frontiers, an exploration of the microbes that shape the world we live in 320pp. Penguin Life. £20. Tim Spector Ferment The lif

How much attention do you pay to the soil – its chemical health and nutrient status – in your horse’s field? Emily Bevan finds out why your soil should look like chocolate cake rather than brownie

On a summer’s day, your garden is full of activity, with hoverflies, butterflies and bees flying from flower to flower. But that is only one slice of the action on your plot. In the ground beneath you