You’ve heard the hype about Unicity Balance. Something to support digestive health? Check. A fiber matrix to help weight management? Double check.
With so many benefits, it’s an easy decision to go all-in on Balance. But some may experience some gastrointestinal issues at first. In this article we’ll dive into why that is, how long those side effects are expected to last (yes, they are only temporary!), and why it’s still the right decision to go all-in on Balance.
What is Unicity Balance?
First, some background on Balance. Balance is a pre-meal drink with a patented fiber matrix that includes bioactive plant compounds, polysaccharides, and micronutrients. The fibre matrix helps to promote healthy digestion and support the feeling of satiety. Balance contains important vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre to support weight management.
Balance is ideal for anyone who wants to increase their fiber intake (which includes most of us—more on that in a bit) and those looking to support their weight-management efforts. It’s also a helpful aid for anyone doing 16:8 intermittent fasting or another time-based eating method.
How Balance works
Balance includes viscous soluble fiber. This type of fiber forms a thick gel when combined with water and as it moves through the digestive tract. The gel-like consistency helps slow the emptying of your stomach, which helps you stay fuller for longer.
About that fiber
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably noticed a recurring theme: fiber. Fiber is most known for supporting digestive health, but it also supports heart health and much more—it's basically a superfood. Fiber is behind many of the benefits of Balance. It’s also the reason for the side effects you may experience.
So, how is it that something that is so good for us can cause symptoms that make us feel, well, not good?
Short answer: we don’t eat enough fiber and it’s not even our fault a lot of the time. Most processed foods are stripped of fiber, and even whole foods aren’t as fiber-rich as they used to be because today's farmed and grown foods prioritize taste over nutritional value.
So when you suddenly start eating a lot more fiber than usual, it’s only natural that it will take your body time to adjust. Just like the soreness you feel after starting a new workout routine, any gastrointestinal upset that happens after increased fiber intake means your body is getting used to something new—and getting stronger in the process.
Side effects you may experience with Balance
Increasing your fiber intake in any form, whether it be through Balance or by eating more vegetables, can cause gas, bloating, indigestion, and/or other gastrointestinal discomforts for some people. The gasses are produced as fiber is fermented by the bacteria in the lower GI tract. This is a completely normal reaction and merely means your body is starting to acclimate to the increased amount of fiber you’re taking in.
How long Balance side effects last
These symptoms should diminish after 2–3 weeks as your body and gut bacteria adjust. If you continue to experience symptoms, reach out to your physician.
What you can do about it
Help your body adjust to the healthy amounts of fiber with these easy steps:
Go slow. Increase the amount of fiber gradually, by taking half a sachet of Balance for the first week or two on the Feel Great program.
Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Please note that coffee and tea both have effects on digestion, so you might want to limit your intake for a while.
Add probiotic foods to your diet. Probiotic foods such as yoghurt, cheese, kimchi or pickles can help increase beneficial gut bacteria which help with digestion.
Use a probiotic supplement. Consider using a probiotic supplement such as Unicity Probionic Plus first thing in the morning to help rebalancing your system faster. Unicity Probionic Plus contains eleven probiotic strains to colonize the gut. These probiotic strains are micro-encapsulated so that they can pass through the stomach undamaged and develop their full effect in your digestive system.
Should you still take Balance?
Absolutely! Balance is recommended for adults who want to maintain good digestive and metabolic health. Pregnant and nursing women should consult their physician before taking Balance, as well as anyone considering making changes to their diet.
Balance works behind the scenes to help keep your body well maintained and running smoothly. Any side effects you may experience will be temporary—and after that, it’ll be the positive changes you’ll notice due to having more fiber, vitamins, and minerals in your diet. So keep taking Balance—your body will thank you later.