When you think of bacteria, you think of getting sick, right? Well, believe it or not, there are actually lots of bacteria both inside our bodies and out in the world that are good for us. Crazy right? These are called probiotics, pro-good, get it?
Though our bodies naturally contain these good for us organisms, we may not have enough due to taking antibiotics or some other health-related condition.
But why are they so good for us? MHP General Surgeon Dr. Tim Breon knows their role in giving your gut the goods it needs to keep on movin’. That’s right, these little guys help keep your digestive system tugging along at optimal levels, which aids in keeping symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease under control, preventing disease and even colon polyps. Ready to grab some good bacteria yet? That’s what we thought! Here are some foods full of good bacteria to try:
- Yogurt
- Kefir: Fermented type of milk made by adding kefir grains to cow or goat milk
- Sauerkraut
- Tempeh: Fermented soybean product that has a nutty and earthy flavor, similar to a mushroom
- Kimchi: Fermented, spicy Korean dish
- Miso: Japanese seasoning often made into miso soup
- Kombucha: Fermented tea
- Pickles
- Traditional buttermilk
- Some cheeses like gouda, mozzarella, cheddar and cottage cheese
- Supplements: If you’re not a fan of these products, you can also turn to supplements.
However, chat with your doc before buying just anything to make sure it fits your needs!
Did you notice a common word with many of these products? Fermented! That’s right; probiotics are found in fermented foods so try to include some in your daily regime, or at least 2-3 times per week. While you’re at it, make sure your colon is healthy with regular screenings every 10 years starting at age 50. A digestive system in motion is a happy one so give it the ingredients
