Probiotics are bacteria that, according to the National Institutes of Health, can have a beneficial effect on the body. Unlike other forms of bacteria that can cause sickness and disease, probiotics form a symbiosis with your body, helping to break down foods in the digestive system and to control yeast. Probiotics are also heavily touted for their ability to promote regularity in the intestinal tract. They're found in common foods like cultured dairy and fermented vegetables.
Yogurt
Yogurt is the most common source of probiotics. Some probiotics occur naturally in yogurt and others are added as an additional health benefit. Different yogurt manufactures use different kinds of probiotics to culture their yogurt. Common types include streptococcus thermophilus, lactobacillus acidophilus lactobacillus bulgaricus, lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus reuteri and bifidus. Read the label on your yogurt container to find out how many types of prociotics it contains. Look for the words "live cultures" when choosing yogurt for probiotic benefits. Many frozen yogurt manufacturers are adding live cultures to their products as well.
Kefir
Kefir is a product similar to yogurt, in that it's made from adding bacteria to milk and allowing it to ferment. The difference is that kefir is a liquid that you drink. It contains blooms or clusters of bacteria--most commonly lactobacillus kefiri, leuconostoc and lactococcus. Kefir can be made from a variety of different liquids, like milk, coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk or almond milk. Because of the active fermentation, it can seem bubbly as you drink it. It's often flavored but can be eaten plain.
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut has natural probiotics. Unlike kefir or yogurt, these are naturally occurring strains of lactobacillus plantarum that are not added, but are produced as a byproduct of the cabbage itself breaking down and fermenting on its own. Look for sauerkraut that hadn't been pasteurized, as pasteurization kills off the probiotics. Cooking the product will also kill the bacteria.
Products with Added Probiotics
Because probiotics have increased in popularity, food manufactures have been adding various bacteria to a wide range of products. You can buy cheese, juice, granola bars, chocolate, milk and even breakfast cereals with added probiotics. Like yogurt, the key is to check the label and make sure you see live, active cultures listed.
Member Comments