If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your digestive health, then you should consider adding probiotics to your diet. The term “probiotics” refers to helpful or good bacteria that live in our bodies, particularly in our gastrointestinal tract or gut. They aid in the digestion and absorption of food and help to fight off harmful bacteria that can cause diseases.
Here are five surprising benefits of probiotics for your digestive health:
1. Prevents Diarrhea
One of the primary benefits of probiotics is that they help prevent diarrhea caused by infections or antibiotics. Studies have shown that probiotics can reduce the risk of diarrhea by up to 42 percent.
The reason why probiotics are useful in preventing diarrhea is that they help to restore the balance of bacteria in the gut. This balance can be upset by various factors such as stress, poor diet, infections, and antibiotics. Having an imbalance in gut bacteria can cause a range of digestive issues, including diarrhea.
Probiotics help to restore the balance of bacteria by introducing good bacteria to the gut. These good bacteria work to fight off harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause diarrhea.
2. Reduces Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Probiotics can also help to reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is a common digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. It can cause various symptoms such as cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation.
Research has shown that probiotics can improve symptoms of IBS by up to 50 percent. They work by reducing inflammation in the gut and improving gut motility. Additionally, probiotics can help to reduce stress, a common trigger for IBS symptoms.
3. Boosts Immunity
Probiotics can also help to boost immunity by enhancing the gut’s immune response. A large portion of the immune system is located in the gut, and probiotics can help to improve the gut’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens that could cause infections.
Studies have shown that probiotics can help to reduce the risk of respiratory and intestinal infections. They can also help to reduce the duration and severity of these infections.
4. Improves Mental Health
Believe it or not, but there’s a strong connection between gut health and mental health. The gut is often called the “second brain” because of its connection to the nervous system. Probiotics can help to improve mental health by reducing inflammation in the gut, which can lead to a reduction in anxiety and depression.
Research has shown that probiotics can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, particularly in people with pre-existing digestive issues.
5. Helps to Manage Weight
Lastly, probiotics can help to manage weight by reducing inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity. Inflammation can cause weight gain by disrupting the hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism. Probiotics can help to reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity, which can help to reduce the risk of developing obesity and metabolic diseases.
There are various ways to incorporate probiotics into your diet, such as taking probiotic supplements, eating fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha, among others.
Final Thoughts
Probiotics are an excellent and natural way to improve your digestive health. They offer a range of benefits such as preventing diarrhea, reducing IBS symptoms, boosting immunity, improving mental health, and managing weight.
If you’re interested in trying probiotics, it’s always recommended that you speak to your doctor first, particularly if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medication.
