Who would have thought that even bacteria can be beneficial, right?
Well, it is true that there are some bacteria that are healthy for the human body. The idea can be pretty tough to understand but it is entirely true. But first, you need to understand the term properly.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are living microorganisms that have various health benefits when they are ingested by humans. Basically, Probiotics consist of bacteria but there are certain types of yeasts too which can function as Probiotics. Luckily, these good bacteria are found in various types of food supplements that we use in our daily life. Products such as those provided by Gundry MD contain a lot of probiotics (read the Bio Complete 3 reviews to learn more about them), which means taking them can help promote healthier gut function.
Luckily, having the right gut bacteria has numerous health benefits. They play a significant role in the human digestive system.
Importance Of Micro-Organism In Your System:
Do you know that the complex community of organisms in your gut is called Gut flora or microbiota? Hundreds of bacteria work together in your colon, large intestine, and all along your digestive tract. The gut flora is responsible for many functions in the body. It manufactures vitamins, turns fibers into fats, and also performs metabolic functions.
The fats stimulate the immune system and strengthen the gut wall. Thus, Probiotics and the best nootropics prevent unwanted substances from entering the body and affecting the immune system, whilst helping to improve human thinking, learning, and memory, especially in cases where these functions are impaired.
However, not all microorganisms from your gut are friendly. You will be amazed to know how sensitive your system can be if you have an improper diet. The unbalanced gut flora leads to numerous diseases. Probiotics can help you to maintain the balance of your system and ensure that your system is functioning properly so that you stay in optimal health.
Health benefits of Probiotics:
As you’ve read, there is no doubt that having good bacteria in your system work well. So, here are some benefits that will make you understand why Probiotics are so important.
1: Impact on Digestive Health:
There is strong evidence that Probiotic supplements can cure digestive health effectively. When people ingest bacteria, they work to cure diseases like antibiotic diarrhea. Normally, antibiotics kill the natural bacteria in your gut. This leads to the growth of harmful bacteria.
Thus Probiotics are more of a necessity for the human body to combat irritable bowel syndrome, common digestive disorders, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and other symptoms too. Even though the bacteria can’t protect the body from inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, still it is helpful in fighting ulcers and stomach cancer.
2: Impact On Weight Loss:
Typically, people who weigh more have different gut bacteria as compared to the ones who are lean. And it is believed that gut bacteria play a major role in determining body weight. Luckily, some Probiotic strains are also proven to aid weight loss.
3: Depression and Anxiety:
The Probiotics strains, i.e. Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum are practically known for reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Apart from these, there are several other benefits of Probiotics on the human body. And some benefits are still being explored. Other ways in which these bacteria can help us are given below:
- Inflammation: It reduces systematic inflammation which is the driving reason for other diseases.
- Blood Cholesterol: Several Probiotics are well-known to lower the cholesterol level in the body.
- Blood Pressure: It can help to cause modest reductions in blood pressure.
- Immune System: Several strains can help to enhance the immune system, thereby reducing the risk of infections and the common cold.
- Skin Health: There are many pieces of evidence that say that Probiotics are helpful in curing acne, rosacea, and eczema too along with a few other skin disorders.
And the above-mentioned benefits are just a few of them. There is a wide array of positive effects Probiotics have on the human body. But you have to be cautious too. Excess of everything is bad and the same concept applies to these bacteria too. So, make sure that you don’t overdose on Probiotics.
Foods That Have Natural Probiotics:
People switch to Probiotics supplements to get the benefits of good bacteria. Fortunately, you don’t have to go artificial for them. There are lots of fermented food items that can provide you with the health benefits that you seek.
1: Yogurt: It is the best source of Probiotics. Yogurt can even be made at home. It has friendly bacteria, mainly lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacteria. Eating yogurt will improve your bone health and also regulates high blood pressure. it can also suit lactose intolerant people. But make sure that you choose your yogurt smartly as some artificial ingredients kill the bacteria present in it.
2: Kefir: It is a Probiotic milk drink. The drink is made by adding kefir grains to cow’s or goat’s milk. These grains are more like lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Milk is very popular for its quality of making people feel good.
3: Tempeh: It is a fermented soya bean product. The name is very popular among vegans and it has a nutty and earthy taste like a mushroom. It got popular as a meat substitute with high protein. But the thing people don’t realize is that its fermentation makes it healthier. It contains high nutritional value including vitamins, iron, zinc, and some other minerals too.
4: Traditional Buttermilk: This term refers to a big range of fermented drinks. There are two types of buttermilk, the first one is traditional and the second one is cultured. The traditional buttermilk is the leftover liquid from making butter. This liquid contains a good amount of Probiotics. It is mainly consumed in Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, and neighboring ones. It is now even available at supermarkets in America and Canada as it also contains vitamins and minerals.
There are various types of Probiotic foods that you can eat. It includes fermented soybeans, dairy, vegetables, and others too. Just dig a little deeper and you will a variety of foods in the market. If not, then supplements are always available online.
