Probiotics: Which Ones Are the Best?

When you hear the word probiotics, you might think of stomach health, but probiotics help so much more than that. Research shows that a probiotic-rich diet may help boost your immune system, protect your heart, improve your mental health and even help you lose weight. Let's take a deeper dive into these good bacteria, what they are and how to get them into your diet.

Probiotics are live bacteria or yeast found in fermented foods that are great for our overall health. Our body is covered with trillions of bacteria, inside and out! Yes, that's trillions with a T. These bacteria live in our digestive system and even on our skin. Sickness, obesity and poor digestion occur when these good bacteria get overrun with harmful bacteria. Probiotics from a variety of food sources, from yogurt to kombucha, is the best way to keep our bodies healthy.

So, which probiotics are the best source of nutrition? Let’s break it down:

Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the first food people think of when it comes to probiotics. Before you grab just any yogurt off the shelve, make sure you read the ingredients list. Not every yogurt has "live" or "active cultures”. These cultures are what your body wants. Research also shows that the probiotics found in yogurt may even help with lactose intolerance. For even more nutritious benefits, choose yogurts with less than 10 grams of sugar and that are high in protein.

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage. It can be red or green cabbage, and it can easily be homemade! You can use sauerkraut for more than just a Reuben sandwich, too. It is excellent in salads, on avocado toast or even in smoothies (I promise it won't change the taste). Choose raw or unpasteurized and avoid heating it, because it will kill all those good probiotics that you are trying to get.

Kimchi

Another probiotic-rich, fermented cabbage is kimchi. It also contains Korean radishes and tons of spices, which adds a little tang and heat. You can eat it raw, or you can add it to scrambled eggs, sandwiches, fried rice or whatever your heart desires. An easy way to add more probiotics to your diet is to swap your pickles for this nutritious food.

Kombucha

Kombucha is a black or green tea that has been sweetened and fermented. The fermentation process adds millions of those good-for-you bacteria. Created in Northeast China, this tea contains probiotics and antioxidants, which is why this super drink is becoming more accessible and easier to find. You can find many different flavors of kombucha at any local grocery store in the refrigerated section.

Dark Chocolate

You may know that dark chocolate has some great health benefits (heart health and high in antioxidants). Due to the low processing temperatures, the probiotics in dark chocolate remain active! That's great news for chocolate lovers who want to satisfy their sweet tooth. Make sure you are choosing at least 70% cocoa and low amounts of sugar. Also, research shows that daily consumption, in small quantities, may even be the most helpful.

Supplements

Food is the best way to get many different and diverse probiotic strains. However, supplements can be helpful when treating issues like irritable bowel syndrome because it allows you to choose specific bacteria strains. Talk to your doctor or dietitian before choosing supplements to ensure that you are getting the correct type and dose. The FDA does not regulate probiotic supplements, so be careful and do some research to make sure you choose a reputable source.

Prebiotics

Having these probiotics in our bellies is fantastic, but we want to keep those little helpful bacteria soldiers fed! The best way to do this is to combine our probiotics with prebiotics. High-fiber foods are the best way to keep those bacteria happy and fighting off anything that comes their way. Some prebiotic foods include leeks, asparagus, green (unripe) bananas, oats, apples with skin, flaxseeds or even seaweed.

Probiotics are generally safe to take, but they’re typically not recommended if you have a compromised immune system. Be sure to check with your primary care provider to see if probiotics are right for you.