Summary: Learn about probiotics, why it is beneficial to eat them on a regular basis and what food contains the most of them.

Essential to the health of your digestive system

Probiotics  are live Microorganisms;  yeast and bacteria that can inherently be found in our gastrointestinal tract. Most of all it is good for our digestive system, but it is also a natural remedy to various conditions and illnesses. Further more, they aid digestion by keeping our gut clean, and consequently balance all the good and bad bacteria in our system.

Especially relevant, ‘friendly’ bacterias:

If you pay attention to what you are eating and read your food labels carefully, you will be able to recognize these names. Where? First of all on yoghurt boxes, vegetable dishes and various fermented food items. Search for them because they do a World of good for your gut:

• Bifidobacterium Bifidum
• Bacillus Subtilis
• Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Bulgarius and Lactobacillus Reuteri
• Saccharomyces Boulardii
• Streptococcus Thermophilus

What do these probiotics do?

Essentially they assist in moving food through your gut . They also introduce good bacteria to the body and can help to prevent various intestinal illnesses. Just to name a few: irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and diarrhea. Some research suggest that skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can be improved and it helps with allergy prevention. It kills candida therefore improves your oral health too.

^{Most common probiotic food sources:} 

• Apple cider vinegar
• Coconut kefir
• Combucha
• Cultured vegetables
• Kefir
• Miso
• Pickels
• Raw cheese
• Dark chocolate

Because of refrigeration, hormone, and GMO treatments, and harmful agricultural practices our food contains little to no probiotics. Taking antibiotics, eating processed or carbohydrate, and sugar-rich food are all unhealthy for your gut. Not only destroying your probiotics,but just as bad as drinking unfiltered tap water, eating non-organic meat and dairy. Further more to paint a gloomier picture, most of our food contains antibiotics. Consequently this further reduces the amount of good bacteria in our body. As a result most of us need probiotic replenishment through various supplements.

Avoid these items because all destroy probiotics in our system:

1. Antibiotics and chemicals 
2. Genetically modified food (GMO)
3. Grains
4. Medications
5. Processed food
6. Stress
7. Sugar
8. Unfiltered tap water

Another dilemma: rather probiotic or prebiotic? 

Most of all: no need to choose but do recognize that probiotics and prebiotics are not the same. Prebiotic is a plant fiber that nourishes the good bacteria in your large bowel or colon. As a result they help your good bacteria grow and improve the amount of good bacteria in your body. By having a probiotic-rich diet, you will probably experience the following health benefits:

• Better oral health
• Healthier skin and glowing complexion
• Improved digestion
• Improved eczema and psoriasis
• Reduced cold and flu symptoms
• Stronger immune system hence increased energy
• Weight loss

^{Most common prebiotic food sources:} 

Primarily foods that are high in probiotics are most of all fermented dairy products and raw vegetables. Therefore here are some of the most easily found fermented, dairy products and vegetables:

• Asparagus (raw) 
• Banana (raw)
• Chicory root (raw)
• Yogurt, kefir and sour cream
• Cheeses
• Wheat bran (raw)
• Garlic (raw)
• Raw and cooked onions
• Jerusalem artichoke (raw)

Raw or cooked prebiotic: which is better? 

No surprises here, another reason to eat raw! If you cook your vegetables mercilessly through, as a result, probably nothing is left but good ol’ mash. No nutrients, no vitamins and you can’t even call it baby food. Of course it is understandable if you don’t want to eat all your vegetables always raw. Light cooking will still effect and reduce the prebiotic content of you food, however you will not lose it all. In conclusion, search proactively for prebiotic and probiotic rich foods for your healthy gut! Eat rather raw than cooked, eat organic and avoid chemicals.