What are Probiotics Good For?

ALLERGIES & SPECIAL DIETS / WRITTEN BY THE CHOICES NUTRITION TEAM

Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial bacteria or yeasts that naturally live in your body. Bacteria are usually viewed in a negative light as something that makes you sick. However, probiotics are made up of good bacteria that help to keep your body healthy. Research shows that probiotics can improve digestive health, support the immune system and possibly reduce the risk of cancer.

The main job of probiotics are to maintain a healthy balance in your body. Think of it as keeping your body in neutral. When you are sick, bad bacteria enters your body and increase in number. This causes your body goes out of balance. Good bacteria works to fight off the bad bacteria and restore the balance within your body, making you feel better.

You can increase beneficial bacteria in your body from the foods you eat. Certain foods have probiotics in them and can benefit the health of your microbiome. These foods can be added into your diet at any time of the day. You may even be regularly eating them now, and not realize that they contain probiotics. You may want to check the food label for live and active cultures.

A couple suggestions for some of the probiotic- rich foods you can add to your diet and sometimes to try them include: yogurt, cottage cheese, sourdough bread, Kombucha, tempeh, fermented pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, Miso soup, etc.

Make sure you are still creating a balanced and healthy meal each time you sit down to eat. Although adding probiotic- rich foods into your diet won’t hurt you, eating balance is still the key.