In this new article, we will tell you everything about probiotics and why you will want to incorporate them into your daily routine.
Probiotics are live microorganisms such as bacteria and yeasts that live in the gut and offer benefits like aiding digestion and nutrient absorption, improving overall health.
It is common for gut flora to become unbalanced after the use of antibiotics or when a person does not follow a healthy and balanced diet. This can lead to harmful bacteria in the gut, which impairs the immune system and leaves the body more exposed to illnesses.
How do they affect gut Flora?
The main benefits for gut flora are:
- They help maintain a healthy gut flora.
- They act against harmful microorganisms by creating natural barriers in the digestive tract or producing substances that prevent the growth of harmful microbes.
- They improve the regeneration of gut flora after it has been disrupted, such as after antibiotic use, as we mentioned earlier.
Difference between probiotics and prebiotics
The main difference is that prebiotics are not living organisms; they are carbohydrates that our bodies cannot digest, like fiber. These are used as food for the microorganisms in the gut flora.
Prebiotics are mainly found in many fruits and vegetables, such as leafy greens, onions, garlic, and soy.
There are two ways to take probiotics:
- Increase our intake of products that contain them, such as yogurt or kefir.
- Probiotic supplements.