Your intestines are home to million bacteria, some good and some bad. Recent research suggests that the more good bacteria in your gut, the stronger your immune system will be. Probiotics are often referred to as “good bacteria”—they help the body absorb important vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, chromium, and vitamins A, D, E, and K, just to name a few.
7 Probiotic Foods That Help In Digestion, Reduce Depression & Improve Heart Health
Soft Cheeses
It’s packed with lactobacillus casel, a beneficial bacterium that neutralizes bad bacteria and boosts immunity. Add fresh fruit to cottage cheese for even more health benefits from Vitamin C and antioxidants. Soft fermented cheeses have bacteria that survive the passage through the GI tract, giving you better gut bacteria that eventually benefit your brain and emotional health.
Tempeh
Tempeh is made from naturally fermented soybeans. With a slightly nutty flavor, it’s a good source of probiotics—and, because it contains all the essential amino acids, it’s a complete source of vegetarian protein.
Cultured Vegetable
Made from fermented cabbage and other vegetables, sauerkraut is not diverse in probiotics, but is high in organic acids (what gives food its sour taste) which support the growth of good bacteria. Kimchi is a cousin to sauerkraut and is the Korean take on cultured veggies. Both of the fermented formulas are also high in enzymes, which can aid digestion.
Kefir
This fermented dairy product is a unique combination of goat’s milk and fermented kefir grains. High in lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria, kefir is also rich in antioxidants. Look for a good, organic version at your local health food store.
Yogurt
Possibly the most popular probiotic food is live cultured yogurt or greek yogurt made from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep. Yogurt in most cases can rank at the top of probiotic foods if it comes from raw grass-fed animals. It is recommend when buying yogurt to look for 3 things. First, that it comes from goat’s or sheep milk, second, that it is grass-fed, and third, that it is organic.
Kombucha
This is a form of fermented tea that contains a high amount of healthy gut bacteria. This probiotic drink has been used for centuries and is believed to help increase your energy, enhance your wellbeing, and maybe even help you lose weight.
Kimchi
Kimchi is an extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage, typically served alongside meals in Korea. Besides beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of beta-carotene, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C, B1 and B2. Kimchi is one of the best probiotic foods you can add to your diet, assuming you can handle the spice, of course.
Sources:
1- http://paleoleap.com/eat-probiotic-foods/
2- http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9331/top-10-probiotic-foods-to-add-to-your-diet.html
3- http://draxe.com/probiotic-foods/
4- http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20565745,00.html
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