Probiotics are live bacteria that resemble the "good" or healthy bacteria found naturally in the human digestive system. Naturally available in a handful of foods, probiotics may help with lactose intolerance and diarrhea caused by viruses or antibiotics. You can also purchase over-the-counter probiotic supplements to help with immune system enhancement.
Yogurt
U.S. manufacturers are required to produce yogurts made from milk by fermenting them with the probiotics lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus. According to USProbiotics.org, however, some manufacturers place their yogurt through a post-fermentation heat treatment that kills the probiotics. To tell the difference, consumers should look for the National Yogurt Association "Live Active Culture" seal, or read the nutritional label.
Kefir
Kefir is a thick beverage that uses a mixture of dairy or non-dairy milk and cauliflower-like kefir grains. These grains are actually a mixture of the bacteria lactobacillus kefiri, leuconostoc and lactococcus. Consumers can select from various flavors of the drink, which resembles drinkable yogurt.
According to an August 2009 "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine" study conducted by researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center, kefir appeared to help children with weaker immune systems, but did little to prevent diarrhea in healthier young children with antibiotic-related diarrhea. The researchers theorized that the benefit of probiotics in healthy children is so minute that it may not be necessary as a dietary supplement.
Fermented Cabbage
Fermented cabbage is called by different names in different cultures, according to The Nibble -- sauerkraut in the United States and Germany, kimchi in Korea and choucroute in France. Unlike foods with probiotics made with dairy, cabbage simply requires salt to begin the fermentation process with the probiotic lactobacillus plantarum.
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