Your intestines contain a rich, varied garden of bacteria that supports the vitality of your entire body. Consuming probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, can alter your internal environment to promote good health. Although we commonly think of bacteria as “bad,” some kinds of bacteria can actually help support our health.*
The potential benefits of probiotics include promoting gastrointestinal comfort and healthy bowel function. Ingesting these organisms regularly can also help support the growth and maintenance of friendly bacteria in the gut. In addition, they may help support a healthy immune system.*
The good news is that you can eat your way to intestinal wellness! Many people around the world have found that fermented foods offer not only delicious varieties of flavor and texture, but also help support the natural production of food-borne bacteria to support good health.
To increase your intake of beneficial bacteria, consider adding a serving of at least one of these foods to your diet every day:
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Miso
- Tempeh
- Natto
- Pickles and picked foods
- Kombucha tea
- Kimchi
Alternatively, you can get probiotics in supplement form. Look for products that contain at least 10 different strains of bacteria and a minimum of 20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) — a rating that suggests the density of viable bacteria.
In addition, choose a formula that contains fructooligosaccharide (FOS),which is a type of non-digestible carbohydrate. FOS is considered a “prebiotic,” meaning it facilitates the growth of beneficial bacteria and helps to protect them from stomach acid to ensure they’re carried into the intestines.