written by Taelor Zeise, Dietetics Student
Diet is an important factor to consider when supporting your gut microbiome. Probiotics are functional, fermented foods which contain beneficial bacteria. These living microorganisms are good bacteria which help balance the bad bacteria in order to support our bodies.
Humans are born with multiple different types of bacteria in their guts. Around the age of three, the gut bacteria naturally produced in our bodies start to fluctuate. A diet rich in probiotics can help manipulate the many different bacteria levels within the body.
The benefits of probiotics
Some of the proposed benefits of probiotics include:
Aid gastrointestinal tract
Enhance immunity
Balance digestion
Brain and emotional health
Increase nutrient absorption
Think of your gut microbiome as a pet; you have to keep feeding it!
Functional foods are a hot topic in nutrition right now, and more research is being done to understand the many health benefits of probiotics.
What foods contain the most probiotics?
Common food sources that contain probiotics include yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, some cheeses like gouda, kefir, fermented milks, tempeh, kimchi, and a personal favorite, kombucha!