3 Excellent Sources of Probiotic-Rich Foods
Probiotics
Your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are the good guys because they help keep your gut healthy and are necessary for maintaining a balanced digestive system and immune system. The following are our favourite sources of probiotic-rich foods:
Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been used for hundreds of years for it's health promoting qualities. It is a great source of probiotics, B-vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids. Kombucha has a great fizzy texture and is the perfect alternative to toxic sugar-laden sodas.
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is traditionally a northern and eastern european condiment, made by combining shredded cabbage, salt and sometimes spices, and allowing the mixture to ferment. Raw naturally fermented sauerkraut contains lactic acid and the living probiotic microorganisms that are the agents of fermentation. Sauerkraut is also an excellent source of vitamin C as well as B vitamins. Add them as a side to any of your meals or mixed into salads.
Miso Soup
Miso is one the main-stays of traditional Japanese medicine and is commonly used as a digestive regulator. Made from fermented rye, soy beans, rice or barley, adding a tablespoon of miso paste to some hot water makes an excellent, quick, probiotic-rich soup, full of lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria.
Probiotics do best in the digestive system when they have a source of food themselves, referred to as prebiotics. Eating prebiotics will help the probiotics multiply and remain in your digestive system. Examples of foods with prebiotics are artichokes, bananas, and onions.
After adding more beneficial bacteria into your diet, pay attention to how you feel. You may notice more energy, less bloating after meals, and even clearer thinking over time. It's even said that those with clearer skin were found to have more beneficial bacteria on the outer layers of their skin than those with acne prone skin and blemishes. Try out these probiotic-rich foods to start and let us know how you feel!