I'm sure you would've come across a lot of foods or products which say 'high in probiotics', but what are they ?
Simply put, probiotics are live microorganisms (mostly bacteria) that reside in your gut. They are not only harmless but also provide numerous health benefits.
Including good bacteria in your diet can help you improve digestive functions which which will keep you away from bloating or indigestion, improves immunity as the good bacteria also decreases the 'bad' bacteria that cause infection or inflammation and in turn contributes in giving a good skin.
Probiotics can help combat diseases
They may be helpful in treating and preventing:
- Acid Reflux(Acidity)
- Constipation and Diarrhea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Inflammatory diseases like Pouchitis
Foods rich in probiotics
Fermented products like yogurt(buttermilk), kefir(fermented milk drink), pickles, kim chi, tempeh and a few types of cheese are rich in probiotics.
Is there any difference between pro and prebiotics?
Usually people tend to use it synonymously but they are not the same. Prebiotics are the dietary fibre that the already living bacteria in your gut feed on and probiotics are the live bacteria.
Why should we eat prebiotics?
Prebiotic foods are high in special types of fiber that promote digestive health. They support the rise of friendly bacteria in the gut, help with various digestive problems and even boost your immune system. Prebiotic foods have also been shown to improve metabolic health.