Probiotics: Their Impact On Our Gut Microbiome And Digestion

Probiotics: Their impact on our gut microbiome and digestion

Trillions of microorganisms are present in the gut. Many of us are aware of the good and bad bacteria. The ratio of these bacteria should be well maintained. Now, this question will keep ticking your mind: What are probiotics? How do they help in digestion?

Probiotics and digestive health

Probiotics are made of good live bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in your body. They are the good and beneficial bacteria that create a healthy environment in your gut for optimal digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food. This ultimately leads to a healthy lifestyle. When you get an infection, the number of bad bacteria is higher than normal. To achieve a healthy gut balance, you can include probiotics in your diet.
 

Sources of probiotics

Probiotics can be obtained naturally or even through supplements. Fermented foods are a good source of probiotics. Here are some popular probiotics you can include in your diet:
 

• Yoghurt: Probiotic yoghurt has a lot of health benefits. Remember to choose yoghurt that has active or live cultures.
• Kefir: Kefir is a fermented probiotic milk drink. It is a better source of probiotics than yoghurt and can be consumed by people with lactose intolerance.
• Kimchi: Kimchi is a fermented, spicy Korean side dish made from cabbage. Its lactic acid bacteria may benefit digestive health.
• Miso: Miso is a Japanese seasoning made by fermenting soya beans.
• Kombucha: Kombucha is a fermented tea drink claimed to have a wide range of health benefits

Advantages of probiotics for digestion

Healthy digestion is a must to stay fit. Probiotics can replenish good bacteria in the gut. Most popular probiotics include species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Probiotics may help restore the balance of the gut microbiome.
Probiotics also help you to boost your metabolism, which is essential. Metabolism is the process of converting food into energy. Easy digestion of food helps in the proper absorption of nutrients.

Just popping a vitamin supplement is not enough when you cannot digest it well. You need a probiotic to achieve good digestion and absorption of that multivitamin. It should be metabolized well.

Probiotics and the Gut-Brain axis

The human gut is an amazing piece of work. It is your second brain. Ever heard of the Gut-Brain axis? The gut affects your physical as well as mental health. It is important to preserve the functioning of the gut for a healthy life. The key to a healthy gut is healthy microbiota. This can be achieved through probiotics, either via diet or by supplements (if required).

Other benefits of probiotics

• Boost metabolism
• Help in weight loss
• Solve gastric issues like constipation & diarrhoea
• Help with irritable bowel syndrome and gas or flatulence
• Help to boost immunity
• Keep diseases and infections at bay
• Maintain the gut barrier
• Help with proper absorption of vitamins
• Keep autoimmune disorders at bay
• A healthy lifestyle keeps you active
• Improve the Gut-Brain axis
• So, get started with probiotics today and embrace a healthy lifestyle. If you have been consuming healthy food and popping supplements - coupling with probiotics will help to improve the digestion and absorption power. This will, in turn, boost your immune system.