Your gut health can greatly affect your holistic wellbeing. When you hear the word ‘bacteria,’ you automatically think they cause disease. However, there is such a thing as ‘good bacteria’ that are actually beneficial for you—these are called probiotics. One of the best ways to achieve good intestinal health is getting enough probiotics in your diet that can be found in your everyday food staples.
What are probiotics
The etymology of the term probiotic comes from the Latin word “pro” which translates to the preposition “for” while “biotic” stems from Greek origin that means “bios” or “life.” From its name alone, probiotics mean they are essential to life.
Cleveland Clinic defines probiotics as “made out of live bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in your body.” Did you know that your microbiome—a complex system within your body—enables the healthy co-existence of good and bad microbes in the body that include viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungus? It is important to maintain balance in your microbiome to stay fit and healthy, because disrupting that balance can make a person more susceptible to disease.
What are the benefits of probiotics
Good bacteria promote healthy digestion and support immune function. There are popular types of bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, and yeasts like Saccharomyces boulardii. Harvard Health states that these bacteria have different effects on your body that assist in the treatment or prevention of these conditions, among many others.
- Diarrhea
- Ulcerative colitis
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Vaginal infections
- Eczema in children
Watch: 9 Tips for Healthy Digestion
Where to get more probiotics
Certain foods have high levels of probiotics due to fermentation—a process wherein a substance is broken down with the addition of microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast. Enhance your meals with these common probiotic-rich ingredients to promote gut health:
- Pickled vegetables
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Kombucha—a fermented type of tea
- Sourdough bread
If the probiotic-rich food is not to your liking, there are available probiotic supplements in the market such as Lactobacillus reuteri that can help improve your gut’s health and immunity to intestinal infections. It is important to consult your doctor first before taking any form of medication, vitamins, or supplements.