Probiotics---live microorganisms---are comprised of "friendly" bacteria, mimicking that which is found in the human digestive tract, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Probiotics are commonly sold as dietary supplements and also are found in certain foods. The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations note, when used in proper amounts---they can be beneficial to the "host."
Dairy
According to Tod Cooperman, M.D., president of ConsumerLab.com, which tested the amount of probiotics in 25 foods, dairy---which contains beneficial bacteria---is an ideal food for delivering probiotics. Yogurt and yogurt drinks are potent sources of good bacteria, among them lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus. Probiotics often are found in kefir drinks and kefir-based yogurt and frozen yogurt, too. The National Yogurt Association marks many products containing at least 100 million live cultures per gram as having "Live Active Cultures."
Non-Dairy Sources
Probiotics also can be found in many non-dairy sources, says eatingwell.com, pointing to miso, tempeh and kimchi. Treehugger.com also gives a nod to GoodBelly, a wheat-free, soy-free probiotic fruit drink containing 20 billion live and active probiotic cultures per serving. These days, probiotics also can be found in cereal, candy bars and granola, notes usprobiotics.org.
Adding Probiotics to Food
Health food stores and well-stocked natural grocery stores commonly sell probiotic supplements in capsule, powder, tablet and liquid form, according to usprobiotics.org. When purchased alone, herbal supplements containing probiotics can be used to fortify most any food lacking the good bacteria.
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