The word “bacteria” has bad connotations. When we think of bacteria, we typically think of disease. The fact of the matter is that, not only are not all bacteria bad, some bacteria are actually good.

Probiotics are live bacteria that, when consumed, actually help to regulate the bacterial balance within the gut. Because they help to regulate gut health, they offer a number of different benefits.

This is why you should be taking probiotics.

The Benefits of Bacteria

Probiotics benefit the body in a number of different ways. Not only do they offer physical benefits, but psychological benefits as well. Let’s get into the details below.

Prevent Diarrhea

If you suffer from chronic diarrhea, probiotics could be of great use to you. These helpful bacteria have been found to either reduce or stave off diarrhea in those who typically suffer from it. This is true whether said diarrhea is antibiotic-induced or just part of a person’s everyday life.

Probiotics have been examined to not only reduce the lifespan of infection-based diarrhea but to reduce the chances of diarrhea occurring in the first place.

You should note, however, that not all probiotics are created equal. Some strains are better-equipped to handle diarrhea than others.

Improve Mental Health

Those who suffer from depression or anxiety can gain a lot from regularly ingesting probiotics. These bacteria have been seen to reduce the effects of both of these mental health issues. Positive results have also been seen with those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

This has a lot to do with the fact that probiotics reduce inflammation within the body. Inflammation has been linked to a number of mental illnesses.

Allow for Good Heart Health

Heart disease is the number one killer in all of the United States. For this reason, we should all be doing everything in our power to maintain good heart health.

While keeping your heart healthy requires a solid diet and regular exercise, your heart can benefit from probiotics. Those who ingest probiotics on a regular basis have seen reductions in both their cholesterol levels and their blood pressures.

You should note, however, that these reductions only take place when probiotics are consumed over a long period of time. It generally takes at least eight weeks of consistent use before any results are seen.

Lessen the Severity of Eczema

Eczema is an irritating and sometimes painful condition which leads to dry, itchy, and reddened skin. Common in infants and young children, it can appear sporadically or chronically.

There are a number of different ways to treat eczema, one of which is with probiotics. Probiotics have been seen to reduce the severity of eczema in babies and toddlers who have it. Studies have also shown that, when pregnant women regularly ingest probiotics, their children are less likely to have eczema.

Strengthen the Immune System

If you want your immune system to be as strong as possible, you should be consuming probiotics on a regular basis. Probiotics help to strengthen the immune system in a number of different ways. Not only do probiotics help to regulate bacteria in the gut, they also promote the growth of several immune cells.

Studies have shown that probiotics lessen the duration of infections in both the lungs and the urinary tract. It is also believed that they help to prevent infections from forming in the first place.

Promote Weight Loss

Losing weight is no simple task. It requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. Without the right diet and right exercise routine, you are going to struggle to shed any pounds.

What can help you to accomplish your weight loss goals? Probiotics!

Probiotics promote weight loss in a number of ways, preventing the absorption of fats, allowing you to feel fuller throughout the day, and burning calories.

Sources of Probiotics

You can get probiotics from a variety of different sources, some of which are natural, and some of which are scientifically manufactured. Read on to find out what they are.

Yogurt

One of the more commonly-consumed probiotic-dense foods is yogurt. Be aware, however, that not all yogurts contain probiotics. Look for a yogurt which is labeled to contain live bacteria.

Kefir

Kefir is a drink which consists of cow’s milk and kefir grains. Loaded with several strains of probiotics, it provides most of the benefits reviewed above.

Tempeh

If you’re looking for a solid vegan food that is dense in probiotics, you might consider tempeh. This food is made of fermented soybeans and can be used in a variety of cooking functions.

Kimchi

Popular in Korea, kimchi is a fermented, vegetable-based food which contains plenty of probiotics. While it has primarily been seen to aid in digestion, it actually aids in a variety of different other functions as well.

Select Cheeses

You may not have known that you can actually find plenty of probiotics in cheese. However, not all cheeses contain these healthy bacteria. If you’re looking for probiotics in cheese, you must stick to a select few types.

The types of cheese which are most typically dense in probiotics include mozzarella, gouda, cottage, and cheddar. However, to be sure that the cheese you’re buying has probiotics in it, you should pay careful attention to its label.

Pickles

Low in calories and high in nutrients, pickles are jam-packed with probiotics. However, again, this is not true of all pickles. Make sure to read labels carefully before making a purchase.

Supplements

Perhaps the easiest way to regularly ingest probiotics is by taking a supplement. Having a supplement on hand allows you to obtain your daily needs in a single swallow.

There is a range of probiotic supplements available, such as these Thrive vitamins.

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