How To Use Probiotics For A Healthy Lifestyle?

Probiotics are popular. A report published in 2019 stated that 3.9 million people in the United States regularly take probiotic supplements and that the worldwide probiotic market is estimated to be $37 billion. People commonly use probiotics to manage digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. But remember, a healthy gut starts with your diet, so it’s essential to focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, proteins, and minimally processed whole grains. 

What are the Best Sources of Probiotics in Foods?

• Yoghurt. It is one of the most familiar sources of probiotics that keep a healthy balance in your gut. Studies suggest that probiotics can help ease lactose intolerance. They also may help tame gas, diarrhoea, and other tummy troubles. 
• Sauerkraut. Choose the unpasteurized kind. The pasteurizing process that treats most supermarket brands kills active, good bacteria. Sauerkraut and the similar but spicy Korean dish kimchi are also loaded with immune-boosting vitamins that can help ward off infection.
• Miso Soup. A popular breakfast food in Japan, this fermented soybean paste can get your system moving. Probiotic-filled miso is often used to make a salty soup that’s low in calories and high in B vitamins and protective antioxidants.
• Soft Cheeses. These are good for digestion, but not all probiotics can survive the journey through your stomach and intestines. Research finds that strains in soft fermented cheeses, like Gouda, are hardy enough to make it.
• Kefir. According to legend, shepherds in the Caucasus Mountains, which separate southeastern Europe from Asia, discovered the milk they carried tended to ferment into a bubbly beverage. Thick, creamy, and tangy like yoghurt, kefir has its own strains of probiotic bacteria, plus a few helpful yeast varieties.
• Sourdough Bread. The next time you make a sandwich, pay attention to what’s holding your cold cuts and cheese. San Francisco’s famous sourdough bread packs a probiotic that may help digestion.
• Acidophilus Milk. One of the easiest ways to get probiotics is to use this kind of milk, fermented with bacteria. You may see it labelled as sweet acidophilus milk. Buttermilk, too, is rich in probiotics.
• Sour Pickles. When looking to pickles for probiotics, choose naturally fermented kinds, where vinegar wasn’t used in the pickling process. A sea salt and water solution feeds the growth of good bacteria and may make sour pickles help with your digestion.
• Tempeh. Made from a base of fermented soybeans, this Indonesian patty makes a natural antibiotic that fights certain bacteria. Tempeh is also high in protein. People often describe its flavour as smoky, nutty, and similar to a mushroom. You can marinate it and use it in meals in place of meat.

What are the Benefits of Natural Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms found naturally throughout your body, especially in your digestive system. They are sometimes called live cultures or good bacteria because they help balance your intestinal bacteria. One way is protecting against other types of bacteria that cause disease or illness. When too many harmful bacteria are in the gut, probiotics can help fight them off to rebalance the gut.

There are thousands of species of bacteria that act as probiotics. One of the most common is Lactobacillus, which can help support the immune system, healthy blood sugar levels, and digestion and may help prevent yeast infections. Another species, Bifidobacterium, is often used to manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) while also being beneficial for mental health and addressing eczema in infants.

What are the Cons of Probiotics in Natural Foods?

These good bacteria already exist in the body. They are considered safe for most people. But there are some things to consider. 

They can trigger an allergic reaction. They might cause mild stomach problems, especially the first few days you take them. You might have stomach upset, gas, diarrhoea, or bloating. Those symptoms usually go away after your body gets used to them.

You may have a greater chance of issues if you have an immune system problem or another serious health condition. Some reports have linked probiotics to severe infections and other side effects. The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, those who’ve had surgery, and others who are critically ill. Don’t take probiotics if you have any of those issues.