Why You Should Be Taking Probiotics

Most of us have heard of or seen probiotic tablets or foods on grocery store shelves and are aware that they’re good for us, but not many of us actually know the magic that they work on our bodies.

Probiotics, in short, are live bacteria and yeast found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi and kombucha among others. They create a great environment for good gut flora to thrive, which can have incredible effects on your body that you would never expect. Though the idea of wilfully ingesting bacteria doesn’t sound particularly appealing, it plays a crucial role in many essential biological functions.

The main role of probiotics is to aid in digestion and improve gut function. They fend off cells in the gut that could potentially cause damage to your immune system as well as help your body to make use of the food you eat by utilizing the nutrients you ingest to their full potential. In maintaining the lining of your stomach they become the ultimate gut superheroes, in turn reducing bloating and general digestive discomfort. Because they’re so great at protecting your immune system, they’ve also been proven to have a significant positive impact on your heart health.

Further, a good gut leads to healthier skin. Everything that we ingest has a chain reaction that affects every part of our bodies, and a solid intake of probiotics helps to ensure that this chain reaction is a positive one. Acne, eczema, rosacea and rashes have been proven to occur less frequently amongst those who eat or supplement with probiotics. There is even research to suggest that probiotics promote good mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and OCD as well as improving memory and general cognitive functioning.

There are many ways to include probiotics in your diet that aren’t just limited to eating probiotic foods, though this is a great way to get them in. Fermented vegetables (e.g. kimchi and sauerkraut), kefir (fermented milk) and kombucha (fermented green tea) are your best bets and generally very easy to find. You can also take probiotic supplements. Increasing your fibre intake is also a great way to facilitate the growth of probiotics in your stomach as it serves as a “prebiotic”, providing fuel for probiotics to grow.

Probiotics have been proven to have very few drawbacks and a multitude of health benefits. For the sake of your body and your mind, they’re certainly worth including into your lifestyle.