You may spend much of your life trying to avoid germs, yet your stomach actually needs it. Probiotics are live (yes, live!) bacteria that you eat to help your body fight off dangerous germs. Jennifer Messer, R.D., a dietitian in New Hampshire, says, “They’re the good guys.” Probiotics can be found in a variety of forms, including pills, fermented foods, and beverages like kombucha, but there may be no easier or more delicious way to include probiotics into your daily routine than making yogurt your go-to snack. probioticseverything.comprobiotic yogurt drinkprobiotic yogurt drink
Probiotics have several health benefits for your entire body.
“The gut microbiome is made up of billions of microorganisms, and what we eat and drink can influence the balance of our gut microbiota,” explains Caroline Susie, R.D.N., a registered dietitian nutritionist in Dallas. probioticseverything.comprobiotic yogurt drinkprobiotic yogurt drink
When probiotics enter your digestive system, they help to balance and fight off unwanted bacteria, keeping your colon healthy and preventing infections. Because they break down fibrous foods like certain fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, they’re crucial for controlling symptoms including irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, lactose intolerance, and ulcerative colitis. probioticseverything.comprobiotic yogurt drinkprobiotic yogurt drink
Lactobacillus acidophilus is the most common type of probiotic, and it’s also the most healthy, according to specialists. It boosts healthy blood sugar levels and aids your body’s resistance to yeast infections. Bifidus regularis and Lactobacillus casei, two other probiotic bacteria that boost gut health, are frequently combined with it.
Sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, and cheese all contain L. acidophilus, but most dietitians choose yogurt since it’s inexpensive, accessible, and simple to incorporate into your diet.
What is the best probiotic yogurt to buy?
Are you feeling overwhelmed at the yogurt section? On a label, there are two basic things to look for. First, double-check that it states “contains live and active cultures,” said to Dana Eshelman, R.D.N., dietitian and CEO of A Dash of Dana Nutrition Coaching. Then look at the sugar content—some yogurts can have as much sugar as a bowl of ice cream! (All of the selections listed below have less than 10 grams of sugar.) probioticseverything.comprobiotic yogurt drinkprobiotic yogurt drink
“Sugar feeds the nasty bacteria in your gut,” Eshelman explains. As a result, eating too much sugar can cause bad bacteria to outweigh beneficial bacteria, resulting in inflammation and possibly chronic disease. Sure, probiotics are beneficial, but why make it work even harder? Not all yogurts are good probiotic providers, according to experts, so we’ve compiled a list of the ones you can trust to keep your gut healthy (and yummy!).