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5 Benefits of Probiotics You Should be Aware of!

By Ms. Kalpana Gupta in Nutrition And Dietetics

Sep 12 , 2022 | 2 min read

Do you think all bacteria are harmful to health? Quite surprisingly, not all bacteria are harmful. Certain good bacteria also exist in your body, called probiotics. Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial bacteria/and/or yeasts that naturally live in the human body. They are made up of good bacteria that help in keeping the human body healthy & working well.

These good ones help in the elimination of bad ones from your body. Now, how do you know if a particular bacterium is good or not? Specific characteristics define a microbe as a probiotic. Have a look!

Characteristics of Probiotics

Can survive in your intestine after consumption
Prove to be beneficial for your health
It can be consumed safely.

The most common probiotic Bacteria/yeast are Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces, etc. Now let’s talk about the importance of probiotics in our day-to-day life.

Maintains balance of good bacteria in your gut

When an individual is exposed to bad bacteria or gets sick, the bacteria can offset the imbalance in the digestive system. Now, this is the time when good bacteria/probiotic works. Probiotic/good bacteria fight with bad one & restore the balance and then also helps in vital mineral absorption via the gut lining.

Prevents diarrhoea

Diarrhoea occurs due to an intestinal infection. Probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria suppress microorganisms that cause diarrhoea. Lactobacillus is present naturally in yoghurt and dairy products. Supplements are also available.

Improves mental health

Did you know that your gut is called a second brain? Studies show a strong link between gut and brain cells called the gut-brain axis. Probiotics can help your mental health by producing neurotransmitters like your brain. These neurotransmitters can have an impact on sleep and mood.

Helps in lowering blood cholesterol

There are specific probiotics, such as those containing lactobacillus, that can help in lowering blood cholesterol.

High Blood pressure

There is evidence that shows that certain probiotics can also help in controlling high blood pressure.

So till now, you would have understood the importance of probiotics, but are you aware of the sources of probiotics? Here are they-

Yoghurt
Traditional buttermilk
Some types of cheese like chedder, mozzarella
Fermented pickles
Kimchi
Kombucha

Apart from natural sources, there are supplements of probiotics that are available on the market. But ensure that you consult your doctor before consuming it because your doctor can help you understand the correct dosage.

It is necessary to take the right dose because some probiotics lose their effectiveness due to the acidic environment inside the stomach. Thus you will fail to get the benefits in those cases. Book an appointment now to know what supplements you should be opting for.