You've probably heard plenty about probiotics and how good they are for you. Thanks to endless commercials and all those pamphlets at the doctor's office, you might frankly be a little sick of hearing about it.
But few people realize just how important probiotics are to your health, and the different ways you can consume them.
What exactly are probiotics? They're little live cultures and bacteria that help keep your colon, gut, and digestive tract on track!
Many may cringe at the thought of introducing bacteria into their bodies, let alone eating it — but there are plenty of good strains of bacteria inside us right now, making sure that the bad stuff doesn't populate around us to make us sick.
Probiotics are well-known for being your bowel's best friend, helping you keep your digestive system regular and happy.
But it turns out that this good bacteria may actually be helping out many different parts of the body — even your skin and teeth!
Check below to learn more about how probiotics are good for your body; you'll be seeing bacteria in a whole new light by the time you're done!
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are helpful little bacteria and yeast particles that live inside your body.
They are mostly recognized as being good for your gut and regulating your digestive tract.
But there are actually plenty of other places in your body that can benefit from this bacteria.
Good Bacteria vs. Bad Bacteria
Many associate bacteria with disease, but there are good strains of bacteria as well as bad.
Just like antibiotics kill bacteria that make you sick, probiotics promote the growth of bacteria that move through your gut and keep everything moving along as it should.
There are are many different kinds of bacteria in your body right now, but it is all working to make sure everything is working as it should.
How To Eat Probiotics
The most common carrier of probiotics is obviously yogurt and any dairy that is fermented, like kefir.
Other fermented foods — like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha — also have high levels.
But if you don't want to eat diary or fermented foods, probiotics can also be taken in supplement form.
What Kind Of Probiotics Should I Look For?
There are two primary groups of probiotics.
Lactobacillus probiotics are found in various fermented fare, and can help your body break down lactose-filled foods better.
Bifidobacterium probiotics are also found in diary and can help with bowel health.
Between the two groups, there are a lot of benefits that probiotics have on your body; check them out below!
Benefit #1: They Ease Bowel Problems Like IBS
IBS can plague people with varying digestive symptoms, like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.
There are plenty of things that may trigger bowel irregularities, like your hormones, immune system, and colon sensitivity.
But probiotics help regulate the digestive symptom and harmonize little bodily inhabitants called gut flora.
Benefit #2: They Support Urinary And Vaginal Health
Using yogurt to help various vaginal problems may be more than an old wives' tale.
A study found in the Journal of Family Practices found that probiotic-filled yogurt may aid in treating bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Since probiotics make good bacteria happen, it would make sense that it would help banish out the bad bacteria!
Benefit #3: They Combat Ulcerative Colitis And Crohn's Disease
Since Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect your digestive tract, probiotics may ease the many uncomfortable symptoms.
Researchers have even reported them stimulating cells to fight back against disease-causing intestinal bacteria.
So if you experience these diseases, sending probiotics in can help fight the battle!
Benefit #4: They Lower High Blood Pressure
In addition to helping out your gut, bowel, and colon, probiotics can also potentially help out other aspects of your body.
Several studies have suggested that people who eat foods containing probiotics can have a significant drop in blood pressure.
Benefit #5: They Support Oral Health
Probiotics' ability to stimulate bad bacteria-busting microorganisms can also help out your mouth!
Different studies have shown that they help eliminate bad breath, plaque, and gum disease.
Benefit #6: They Alleviate Eczema
Doing good stuff for your gut can have positive results all around the body — even outside of it.
It can help strengthen your immune system and keep pathogens from spreading around — which can lesson the effects of eczema.
Benefit #7: They Keep Mothers And Babies Healthy
Probiotics can also help new mothers and nursing babies.
They help boost moms' immune systems, which may be weakened while they are breastfeeding.
And the babies ingesting the breast milk get all of the probiotic benefits too; like a lack of constipation, and a lower risk of diaper yeast.
It's clear that these little organisms are good for your gut, as well as the rest of your body!
Do you consume enough probiotics? What's your favorite way to eat them?
Let us know in the comments below — then please SHARE these amazing health benefits!
