Most of us have heard about how beneficial probiotics can be for our health, but do you know what they actually are? Probiotics are live microorganisms that line your gut, where they aid in digestion and boost your immune system.
In this article, I discuss the benefits of probiotic supplements and foods as well as provide you with tips on how to get more of them into your diet.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial for the human body. People use probiotics for many reasons, including to improve digestion and support a healthy immune system. There are many different types of bacteria that can be used as probiotics, and they can be found in both food and supplements.
Some probiotics are used to support digestive health while others can help to prevent traveler's diarrhea. Some of the most common probiotic strains include lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, sacchromyces, and clostridium. There are many others as well. You can find probiotics that are used for specific health conditions or as preventative measures.
Probiotics are found naturally in some foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kefir, but you can also take them in supplement form to help balance your digestive system and boost overall health. Here's why they're so important:
- Healthy Gut = Healthy Body
- They keep bad bacteria from taking over
- They support weight loss/healthy metabolism
- They reduce anxiety/depression symptoms
- They improve energy levels
- They help detoxify harmful toxins from the body (and fight colds/flu!)
Which Foods Have Probiotics?
- Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics. Cultured bacteria are found in yogurt, and you can often find yogurt that contains both lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. Yogurt can be eaten alone or with fruits and other ingredients to create tasty snacks.
- Miso soup is another great source of probiotics. You can find many different types of miso with different flavors, and many of them also contain probiotics. Miso soup is delicious and is also full of protein and vitamins.
- Pickles are another great source of probiotics and you can eat pickles on their own or with other foods. Pickles are also good for replenishing electrolytes after a workout.
- Fermented foods are another great source of probiotics. Cultured vegetables such as sauerkraut and kimchi are great sources of probiotics.
The benefits of probiotics are vast and varied, but they all boil down to one thing: keeping your gut healthy. If you’re looking for ways to keep your body running smoothly and ward off illness, probiotics are a great place to start.