In this day and age, more people are hearing the term probiotics bounced around. With this, there is often confusion among individuals of if they need to take a probiotic supplement or whether or not they can get enough sources of probiotics through their diet alone. At Nature’s Garden, many of our snacks and products contain microencapsulated versions of probiotics as we strive to support gut and immune health. Today, we are going to walk you through what probiotics are, how they work, and review the different types available today. Continue reading if you want to know some insightful tips and research around probiotics and gut health.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics, whether in the form of a supplement or a food product, have emerged as one of the most prominent ingredients among functional foods. Probiotics are defined as “live organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” There are many different types of probiotic strains which belong to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, with other known strains including Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Saccharomyces, and Bacillus. Currently, different probiotic strains are being incorporated into foods like yogurts, breads, snacks bars, and in our case, probiotic fruit snacks and nut mixes!
Foods That Contain Probiotics
If possible, it is beneficial to add probiotics to your diet regularly to maintain digestive wellness. This good bacteria can be found in a variety of supplements, but let's face it, delicious food is definitely more appealing! Here are a few options if you want to include more probiotics in your diet:
● Yogurt
● Kefir
● Kombucha
● Sauerkraut
● Kimchi
● Tempeh
● Fermented pickles
● Traditional buttermilk
● Certain types of cheese
Understanding Probiotics and Gut Health
The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in human health and the development of chronic diseases. Both dietary intake and environmental factors can influence the development of the gut microbiota that make up the entire entity of your gut microbiome. Specifically, the western diet, rich in unsaturated fats and processed meats can have detrimental effects on the bacterial diversity that make up a healthy, functioning gut flora.
Probiotics exert several beneficial effects on overall gut health through various mechanisms including immune and gut microbiota regulation. Probiotics are able to promote the production of anti-inflammatory molecules in the body that can in turn prevent inflammation and help to maintain and restore balance to the gut microbiota.
Health Benefits of Probiotics
The health benefits of probiotics have been widely studied and found to prevent and reduce many diseases including and not limited to:
● Allergic diseases
● Cancer
● Hypercholesterolemia
● Irritable Bowel Syndrome
● Diarrhea
● Lactose Intolerance
● Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Specifically, there has been current research linking the benefits of probiotic supplementation for those with allergic diseases and specific food allergies. This in part, has to do with the combined effects probiotics can have on non-immunologic and immunologic defense barriers. Independent of gut health, probiotics impact the immune system by stimulating the gastrointestinal lymphoid tissue’s lymphoid cells.
It is important for healthy individuals and those experiencing chronic conditions to know that the gut microbiome and immune system are so closely linked, you cannot have one system healthy without the other system contributing and functioning properly as well. Recent studies suggest that including probiotics, whether through food sources or supplementation may assist in the regulation of weight and blood glucose levels and influence metabolism and overall insulin sensitivity.
5 Probiotic-Rich Snack Ideas to Promote Good Gut Health
- Greek yogurt bowl with fresh berries, chia seeds and a drizzle of honey
- Avocado toast on sourdough bread with hemp seeds and sauerkraut
- Cottage cheese with fresh mango and banana slices
- Baked tofu with tamari and a side of miso glazed cucumbers
- Protein smoothie with coconut yogurt and berries
Product Suggestion: Probiotic Tart Cherries
If you are looking for a snack with a sweet bite and rich in probiotics, look no further than our probiotic tart cherries! These can be the perfect addition to top your morning oatmeal, add to a smoothie, or even combine with nuts to make your own trail mix. The probiotic strains included are microencapsulated Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Gg and Saccharomyces Boulardii which both help support gut health and the immune system. At Nature’s Garden, we believe in snacks that are functional – offering something more than simply curbing your hunger. These snacks are not only convenient, but also help your body be the best it can be with the finest ingredients nature has to offer. Order some of these tart bites today and you won’t regret it!
