We’ve all heard of probiotics and how they are said to be the most effective way to treat a variety of digestive conditions, but many of us don’t actually understand what they are and how they work. Put simply, probiotics are living microorganisms that can be found in fermented foods like yogurt or as supplements and their main role is to promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Read on as we go over three benefits of consuming probiotics…
Friendly bacteria are good for your gut
From Lactobacillus to Bifidobacterium, there are a variety of different microorganisms that can be found in probiotics. Although it may seem counterproductive to introduce this into the body, we actually have bacteria in our digestive system already. With this said, too much bad bacteria can lead to digestive distress and friendly bacteria in the form of a probiotic can help to regulate this imbalance and improve a variety of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Probiotics can help boost your immune system
The immune system is the body’s first defence against germs which is why it is important to ensure that it is strong. Since they can reduce the growth of harmful gut bacteria, some probiotics can actually boost the immune system by increasing the production of natural antibodies. In fact, there are also studies that suggest the consumption of friendly bacteria can reduce the duration of respiratory infections.
Your mental health can benefit from probiotics
There are a variety of studies that link a healthy gut to a health mind which is why many people choose to ingest probiotics in order to improve their mental health. In fact, it is thought that a balance of bacteria in the gut could actually improve conditions like anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and even autism.
Probiotics can be added into your diet in a variety of different ways; however, it is important to introduce them slowly. After all, the body needs to be given enough time to get used to them. Furthermore, it is also possible that some probiotics may be destroyed by the stomach acid which means that you should choose and select them carefully.