Kefir Probiotics: What You Need To Know About Them
What Are Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria (good) that help keep your digestive system and especially the gut in check. These bacteria are considered good because they help fight/prevent harmful bacteria from accumulating in the gut. Probiotics (the good bacteria) can be found in fermented foods including dairy product, yogurt, and kefir. While you may know this already, taking antibiotics affects the population of both good and bad bacteria in the gut. This is the reason why you need to be careful when on such drugs. You can, however, replenish your supply of probiotics when you have fermented foods, yogurt, or probiotics supplements.
Best Sources of Probiotics
Some foods come in handy in replenishing your supply of good bacteria. Some of the best sources of probiotics include yogurt, kefir, tempeh, pickles, and traditional buttermilk. Including some of these foods in your diet plan is enough to restore your digestive health. Fermented foods may also be used for the same purpose as well.
Health Benefits of Probiotics
Probiotics not only help promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut but also pack many other health benefits. Some of these include improved immune function, digestive health, and weight loss, among many others. Here are some of the reasons you too should start taking probiotics seriously.
1. A Healthy Digestive System
These live organisms thrive well in the digestive tract. They play a vital role in balancing gut bacteria as well as promote the breakdown of food materials for absorption. This reduces the risk of digestive issues, allergies, and conditions related to indigestion and obesity. Anyone suffering from indigestion, and IBS will benefit significantly by taking foods rich in these microorganisms. A healthy digestive system has a direct impact on your overall health.
2. A Healthy Heart
Probiotics are known to help lower LDL cholesterol in the body. Lactic-acid producing bacteria, for example, helps break down bile in the gut hence reducing the amounts of fats and bad cholesterol that the body might absorb. Whether suffering from blood pressure or other heart-related conditions, probiotics will help improve your health significantly. All you might need is a cup of yogurt every day.
3. Boost Your Immune System
Probiotics are known to fight harmful bacteria in the gut. Any accumulation of bad bacteria increases the risk of infection, indigestion, and other health conditions. Supplementing your supply of good bacteria, however, reduces these risks while giving your immune system a boost. According to research, the accumulation of bad bacteria in the digestive system also increases the risk of respiratory infections, as well as urinary tract infections in women. That said, taking probiotics supplements and fermented foods help create a buffer from these infections.
4. Promote Weight Loss
According to research, foods rich in probiotics induce a full-feeling making one stay a lot longer without craving for food. This forces the body to burn more calories hence promoting weight loss in the long run. Probiotics such as lactobacillus rhamnoses are an excellent example of good bacteria that promote weight loss. Other types of ‘good’ bacteria may, however, induce weight gain.
If you haven’t been taking probiotics supplements, now is the time to start doing so. A healthy population of these microbes is recommended for a healthier you.
