WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS AND WHAT ARE VEGAN FOOD SOURCES CONTAIN THEM
December 13 2023 – Delikate Rayne
Are you looking to boost your immune health and support your gut? Try probiotics!
Probiotics are live microorganisms that work to help your body function. They live inside your digestive tract. They are considered “good” bacteria that help eliminate extra harmful bacteria in different areas of your body.
These good bacteria work to support your health by supporting immune function, controlling inflammation, helping your body digest food, controlling bad bacteria levels, creating vitamins, supporting your gut, and breaking down and absorbing medications.
You can increase the amount of beneficial microbes that are in your body through what you eat or drink. It is recommended to eat a variety of probiotic-rich foods because there are different strains that have different effects on the body.
Taking probiotics supplements or eating more foods with probiotics in them can be especially beneficial for people suffering from digestion issues such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and lactose intolerance. An increase in probiotics is also beneficial for people with yeast infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease, eczema, upper respiratory infections, and sepsis.
But what can you eat to increase your probiotic intake? Typically, foods high in probiotics are fermented foods. The most popular food high in probiotics is yogurt, but that isn’t suitable for someone on a plant-based diet. Here are some probiotic-rich foods, perfect for someone with a vegan lifestyle:
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Pickled vegetables
Kombucha
Tempeh
Sourdough bread
Miso
Fortified dairy-alternatives
Incorporate more of these probiotic-rich foods into your diet to support your gut health and your immune system.
Words by: Erica Benton
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Everyday Health, Medical News Today
Photos: Pinterest