A good gut health is essential for the overall well being of your health. A gut with many problems can give you sleepless nights. 

Research findings show that a healthy microbiome may play a role in reducing illnesses ranging from colds to cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and cognitive decline.

It is the good-for-you bacteria and it is important to keep your metabolic system in the best shape possible. The gut bacteria is helpful because it helps you to burn body fat. It also reduces insulin resistance. When you add more probiotic foods in your diet, you are more likely to become and remain slim and healthy.

Medically the definition of probiotics is living microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.

Functions of probiotics

Probiotics are usually bacteria and also a type of yeast. The friendly bacteria that reside in our gut have a number of important functions and some of these are:  

1. Digesting and absorbing certain carbohydrates.

2. Producing vitamins, absorbing minerals and eliminating toxins.

3. Keeping bad bacteria under control.

4. The good bacteria also produce a substance that kills harmful microbes.

5. Preventing allergies.

6. Providing vital support to your immune system.

7. Probiotics can help preventing food and skin allergies in children, vaginitis, premature labor in pregnant women, inflammatory bowel disease, recurrent ear and bladder infections, chronic diarrhea, etc.

Food and probiotics

These following foods with probiotics can help you stay healthy and feel better than ever:

1.    Yogurt: This is the most effective probiotic food. Just be sure to add less sugar aim to it. Sugar can feed the bad bugs in your gut.

2.     Kefir: It is a smooth and sippable yogurt contains a dozen different types of live active cultures.

3.    Miso paste: Made from aged, fermented soybeans, this paste is brimming with probiotics.

4.    Kombucha tea: There is not much scientific evidence specifically on the benefits of kombucha, but it can provide your gut with more live bacteria.

5.    Sauerkraut: If you eat hot dog, you have found this cabbage condiment found atop the hot dog. For most probiotic power, eat fresh sauerkraut.

6.    Sourdough: It is a mildly sour bread. It is created using a lactic acid starter. The starter includes lactobacillus strains. According to different researchers, the lactic acid present in it provides beneficial effect.

7.    Tempeh: Tempeh is made of fermented soybeans or grains. In addition to probiotics, tempeh contains about 15 grams of protein per half-cup and is a good source of iron.

8.    Pickles: Not all pickles offer the good bacteria. Look for those made with brine (salt and water) rather than vinegar. But remember that pickles are salty.

9.    Cultured soymilk: Cultured soymilk or soy yogurt is a non-dairy alternative with live active cultures. Most of these products are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. to make them comparable to dairy yogurts.

10. Kimchi: This Korean staple relies on lactic acid fermentation and is packed with vitamin C.

11. Kvass: Kvass is made with fermented beet juice or fruit and veggie juices. One bottle of Zukay Beet Kvass contains just 50 calories, is low in sugar, and is a good source of vitamin C.

12. Chocolate: Certain brands of Chocolate contain probiotics. According to a study, probiotics added to chocolate get to work colonizing the gut with healthy bacteria.

13: Lassi: This is an Indian delicacy. Lassi is made of milk, yogurt, fruit, honey, and cardamom. The drink matches very well with spicy Indian food because it helps extinguish the fiery feeling in the mouth and keep your stomach cool. A glass of lassi contains billions of live probiotics and it is available in flavors like mango and turmeric. Or, try this mango lassi recipe.

References
1. Cure Yourself – Secret Remedies & Wonder Foods

2. Probiotics

3. Probiotics