FOODS TO EAT TO GET THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS
Research continues to surface on the benefits of probiotics. While probiotics may not be as commonplace as other healthy bacteria, it’s important to know what they are and how they benefit your overall health and wellness. Recent studies show that probiotics may be able to help prevent diabetes, as well as promote gut and digestive health.
This week we learn more about what probiotics are, how they benefit your health and what foods to eat to get regular servings of this healthy bacteria.
WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS?
In order to start gleaming the benefits of probiotics, it’s important to know what they are exactly. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that benefit your digestive system and overall health and wellness. Naturally occurring in your body, probiotics can also be found in certain foods and supplements. Research continues with the increasing interest in these microorganisms.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS
Because of the presence of probiotics in your gut, many health advantages are derived from your digestive system. Benefits of probiotics include help with irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, heartburn and immunity issues. Prevention and treatment of yeast infections and urinary tract infections, as well as certain intestinal infections are other benefits of probiotics. Probiotics can also be used to reduce the severity of a cold or flu.
New studies show that a daily dose of probiotics can help ward off certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Imbalances in the bacteria within the gut can cause insulin resistance, which leads to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can also trigger high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. As research continues, it’s possible that probiotics could help prevent type 2 diabetes by regulating gut bacteria imbalances. (Daily Mail)
Another recent study points to the consumption of probiotics for weight loss. A Chinese study found that taking probiotics reduced body mass index (BMI) and body weight. While the documented weight loss was minimal in the study, it can have benefits for weight-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, which ties into the other study we discussed. (Newsmax Health)
FOODS WITH PROBIOTICS
While probiotics are already found in your gut, eating foods rich in them can contribute to the health benefits of probiotics.
Yogurt – Perhaps the most common occurrence of probiotics, yogurt has the live and active probiotic cultures needed for maximum health benefit.
Kefir – This milky beverage may be an even better source for probiotics than yogurt. This beverage contains 20 different types of bacteria. Kefir has also been shown to ease lactose intolerance in some adults.
Kombucha – Kombucha is made when black tea is fermented with a mushroom-like colony of bacteria called a “scoby”. Kombucha packs in the probiotics into a sweet, fizzy and refreshing beverage.
Sourdough Bread – Believe it or not, probiotics can be found in sourdough bread, This type of bread is made from a sourdough starter, which functions like yeast, and contains lactobacillus.
Miso – Produced from fermented soybeans and brown rice, the popular seasoning used in Asian cuisine is a strong source of probiotics. Reports say there are over 160 strains of probiotics in miso.
Raw Cheese – Raw, unpasteurized cheese such as goat’s milk, sheep’s milk and A2 cows soft cheeses are high in probiotics.
The benefits of probiotics can be found in a variety of foods and as we learn more about these good bacterias we can enjoy the health benefits.
Additional Resources
http://www.mcphersonsentinel.com/lifestyle/20160713/probiotics-may-help-with-health-struggles
https://draxe.com/probiotic-foods/
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/what-are-probiotics