When it comes to keeping your digestive system healthy, there’s one thing that you should definitely be paying attention to—probiotics.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are good for your body, particularly your digestive system. They are often called “good” or “friendly” bacteria because they promote a healthy gut microbiome.
You might think that probiotics are only useful for treating digestive issues, but there are actually many surprising ways that probiotics benefit your digestive system. Here are 10 of them:
1. Preventing Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
Antibiotics can be a lifesaver, but they can also have unintended consequences. One of these consequences is antibiotic-associated diarrhea. This happens when antibiotics kill off the “good” bacteria in your gut along with the bad, leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria that can cause diarrhea.
Research has shown that taking probiotics during a course of antibiotics can help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
2. Relieving Constipation
Constipation is a common digestive problem that affects many people. It’s characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stool.
Studies have found that probiotics can help relieve constipation by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and improving stool consistency.
3. Boosting Immune System
A healthy gut microbiome is essential for a healthy immune system. Probiotics can help boost your immune system by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria.
Research has also shown that probiotics can help reduce the risk of infections, such as respiratory infections and urinary tract infections.
4. Treating Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum. It can be a very painful and disabling condition.
Studies have found that probiotics can help reduce the severity of symptoms of ulcerative colitis, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.
5. Reducing Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal response of your body’s immune system to infection or injury. However, chronic inflammation can be harmful and is associated with many diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and heart disease.
Probiotics can help reduce chronic inflammation by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory compounds.
6. Weight Management
Obesity is a major health problem around the world. It’s linked to many serious diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Studies have found that probiotics can help with weight management by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. This can lead to reduced body fat and improved weight management.
7. Lowering Cholesterol
High cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease. Probiotics can help lower cholesterol levels by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that break down bile acids in the gut.
Bile acids are needed to digest fat, but too much of them can be harmful. By breaking down bile acids, probiotics can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
8. Improving Mental Health
Your gut microbiome is closely linked to your brain, through a complex communication network called the gut-brain axis. This means that the health of your gut can affect your mental health.
Studies have found that probiotics can improve mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
9. Helping Digestion of Lactose
Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem that affects many people. It’s characterized by difficulty digesting lactose, which is a sugar found in milk and dairy products.
Studies have found that probiotics can help improve the digestion of lactose by increasing the activity of the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking down lactose in the gut.
10. Preventing Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It’s often linked to an overactive immune system.
Studies have found that introducing probiotics to infants during their first year of life can help prevent eczema and reduce the severity of symptoms in children with eczema.
As you can see, probiotics have many surprising benefits for your digestive system. If you’re looking to improve your gut health, consider incorporating probiotic-rich foods into your diet or taking
