Probiotic food - Taking care of your Guts!

Probiotics is considered as functional food and they enhance the micro-flora of our gut. We usually think that bacteria are something that causes diseases but in our body there will be plenty of bacteria some are good and some are bad. The good bacteria they help in our digestion and keep our body fit. So to maintain the functionality of good bacteria we want to eat probiotic foods.   

Probiotics are microbial food components that beneficially affect the host by enhancing the activity of gut micro flora. Intake of probiotic food is directly correlated with health benefits.

Types of probiotics:

Many type of bacteria are classified as probiotics. The most common probiotics used is Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. These are non pathogenic microorganism in food that can put the positive effect on host’s health that modulate our GI tract. This bacterium get attached to our intestinal epithelial, act as a mediator and hence enhances the action of intestinal microflora.     

Impact of probiotic food on health:

• They help in improving various diseases like Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, infectious diarrhea, skin diseases (eczema).
• Help in digestion
• Boost the immune system
• Reduce the weight
• Help to lactose intolerance and gluten intolerance people
• Reduce the risk of cardiac disease
• Alleviate the kidney stones
• Decrease inflammation related to arthritis
• Beneficial affects the blood lipid levels
• Support vaginal health
• Promotes oral health

Examples of probiotic food

Yoghurt: perfect example of natural probiotic food they contain live bacteria which help to boost our digestive system. Goat milk is high in probiotics like thermophillus, bifidus, bulgaricus etc and it is also rich in protein, vitamin and minerals and they have better digestibility than cow and buffalo milk.

Kombucha tea (fermented tea): is a dark tea that help to increase the energy level and also in stomach digestion. It contain high amount of healthy gut bacteria.

Miso soup: is popular in Japan, made with tofu and vegetable broth. It is rich in probiotics (Lactobacillus and bifidus bacteria) and protein and low in calories.  It is also known as digestive regulator.

Soy milk: natural fermented milk and they contain many live bacteria’s. it contain high quality of protein, fats, charbohydrates and no cholesterol or lactose. It is good for the lactose intolerance people. Soy milk fer mented with probiotics it produce high level of beta-glucosidase improved the nutritive value and bioactivity of the food.

Kefir: is a fermented product. It is a blend of milk and yoghurt and also rich in vitamins and minerals. High in lactobacillus and bifidus bacteria. It is also rich in antioxidants.

Sauerkraut: is a fermented cabbage and also called cabbage pickle. It is also called anti ageing product. It is rich in live healthy bacteria. It is rich in vitamins A, B, C and K.

Kimchi: is a fermented cabbage dish that can be very spicy. It is a Korean dish. It is rich in vitamins (B, C and beta carotene) calcium and probiotics.