Probiotic-Rich Foods and Why You Should Add Them to Your Diet?
Probiotic foods contain friendly bacteria that are beneficial for the digestive system. Besides, the regular consumption of Probiotic foods can provide a wide range of health-related benefits for individuals.
Probiotics have become an essential part of a person’s
diet these days. Probiotics offer a slew of benefits for individuals that have
been confirmed in several studies. If you are looking to jump on to the Probiotic
bandwagon, here’s an insight into what you would need to understand about these
health boosters. We will also take a look at some of the best and most
nutritious Probiotic foods available in the market today.
What are
Probiotics?
Probiotics are essentially microorganisms that are
available in fermented foods and supplements. The human body does not
necessarily need these probiotics owing to the healthy bacteria already present
in the gut. However, adding a small amount of these foods to the regular diet
can prove to be beneficial for the digestive system.
Health
Benefits of Probiotic Foods
Probiotic foods are beneficial for the human body in more ways than one.
Some of them include:
- Beneficial for the Digestive System: Probiotic foods
contain good bacteria, which can help flush out harmful bacteria from the gut
and keep it healthy.
- Beneficial for the Heart: Probiotic foods lower
blood pressure and the bad cholesterol levels (LDL) in the body, thereby
contributing to a healthy heart.
- Beneficial for Mental Health: Many studies have shown
that probiotics improve mental health and help treat issues like memory loss,
depression, autism, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc.
- Beneficial for the Skin: Some strains of Probiotic have been found to provide relief from the symptoms of skin diseases like eczema.
Top Probiotic Foods to
Enrich Your Diet
Now that you have an idea of how probiotics can be
beneficial for your health, here’s a look into the top Probiotic foods
you can incorporate into your daily diet.
1. Yoghurt
This is among the best and easily available sources of
Probiotic. Made from fermented milk, yoghurt contains plenty of friendly lactic
acid bacteria, which aid in treating many health issues. Studies have revealed
that the consumption of yoghurt can reduce the severity of diarrhoea while also
relieving the symptoms of other gut-related issues like irritable bowel
syndrome.
Regular consumption of yoghurt can also help control
blood pressure levels while improving bone health. Furthermore, it can also be
consumed by people who are lactose intolerant without any side effects.
Point to note: Ensure to opt for yoghurt containing live or active
cultures as processed yoghurt does not contain Probiotics.
2. Sauerkraut
Considered one of the oldest of traditional foods
around, Sauerkraut is made from shredded cabbage fermented by friendly lactic
acid bacteria. Usually used as a side dish with sausages, Sauerkraut can remain
fresh for months when stored properly in an airtight container.
Sauerkraut provides all the benefits of Probiotic
foods. Besides, it offers other health benefits, thanks to its high iron,
manganese, sodium and Vitamin’s B, C and K levels. It has also been shown to
have high levels of antioxidants like zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for the
eyes.
Point to note: Ensure to opt for the raw, unpasteurised variety of
Sauerkraut as pasteurisation destroys the live cultures in the food.
3. Pickled Cucumbers
These Probiotic foods are great for overall
digestive health. Made of cucumbers which are fermented by lactic acid bacteria
in a salt solution, they also contain high levels of Vitamin K which can help
in blood clotting.
Point to note: Choose pickled cucumbers that do not contain vinegar,
as vinegar kills the live cultures.
4. Kimchi
A traditional Korean side dish, Kimchi is made from
fermented cabbage mixed with seasonings like salt, scallion, ginger, garlic and
pepper/chilli flakes. It can also be made from other vegetables.
The lactic acid present in Kimchi is beneficial for
the gut. In addition to this, Kimchi also contains other nutrients like
riboflavin, iron and Vitamin K, which offer other health benefits for the body.
Also, Visit here: How to Improve your Immunity during COVID-19?
Comments
Post a Comment