Did you know that your gut health has a direct effect on your mental health? Take that into consideration the next time you’re reaching for your favorite guilty (but guaranteed-to-hurt-your-stomach-later) pleasure.
Having a healthy gut with the right balance of good bacteria can have a major effect on our entire health, which is why probiotics are not only super trendy but incredibly important to your daily diet. Believe it or not these amazing live microorganisms can do wonders for your body.
Probiotics can enrich and replenish the “good bacteria” that live inside your intestines and strengthen your entire immune system.
But different strains of probiotics have different health benefits.
According to research, each strain has different effects on different parts of the GI tract. Certain probiotics work their way through the small intestine, giving some of our immune systems a boost. In the large intestine, certain probiotics prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to the intestinal wall preventing growth, while others improve the balance and functioning of the natural microflora within the intestinal lining.
Adding a few servings of probiotic–rich foods into your daily diet is super simple and gives your gut an instant boost. Try swapping your less-healthy staples like coffee for kombucha or kefir in the morning. Or take a shot of apple cider vinegar after dinner. Replace your dairy with raw alternatives. Or top off a sandwich or salad with kimchi or sauerkraut.
A few of our favorite probiotic-rich foods…
Kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, yogurt, raw cheese, raw milk, apple cider vinegar, salted gherkin pickles, brine-cured olives, tempeh, miso, and of course kimchi.
Regardless of how you choose to get your daily dose of probiotics into your diet, don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen! Because a healthy gut is one large step towards a healthier, more balanced body.