PROBIOTICS: EAT BACTERIA ALIVE !

Foods containing probiotic bacteria had become popular over last two decades. This was mainly due to fermented diary products. Identified strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are more and more being introduced into functional foods.

They give following health benefits.

1. Boost immunity.
2. Improve intestinal health.
3. Reduce serum cholesterol.
4. Prevent cancer.

They are also used to treat following conditions.

1. Antibiotic associated diarrhoea
2. Infective diarrhoea.

Probiotic foods include;

DIARY

1. unsweetened yogurt
2. raw cheese (specially, gauda and chedar)
3. kefir
4. coconut kefir
5. Curd
6. Buttermilk
7. Lassi

FRUITS & VEGETABLES

8. brined prickles
9. Brined olives
10. chutneys
11. Sauerruben (fermented sour turnips)

SOY PRODUCTS

12. Tempeh
13. Natto
14. Miso
15. Tamari

GRAIN SOURCES

16. Traditional sourdough breads

NON DIARY BEVERAGES

17. Kombucha

SUPPLEMENTS:

Recently, technologically advanced probiotic supplemets , that are specially designed for increase stability and viability of these sensitive bacteria with microencapsulation appeared in the market.

In whatever form, probiotic bacteria acts in the body using mechanisms listed below:

1. short chain fatty acid production
2. lowering gut pH
3. nutrition competition to improve mucosal barrier function and immuno modulation