Are probiotics really needed for intestinal health?

For the proper functioning of our intestine it is useful to supplement the diet with probiotics: this is what they are and what they are for.

Probiotics are good microorganisms already present in our intestine, which have numerous benefits for the whole organism. We don’t always get enough of them, so it’s important to supplement them through nutrition or by resorting to over-the-counter drugs that allow the intestinal bacterial flora to be recolonized. Let’s find out what foods and products contain probiotics and when to use them.

Probiotics: what are they for?

An alteration of the bacterial flora, or of the set of microorganisms that live in our intestine, can cause various disorders. This happens for example when we take antibiotics , or when we suffer from intestinal problems.

To return to health, it is important to restore the good bacterial colonies that allow the colon to function properly. Probiotics help repopulate the intestinal bacterial flora and solve many annoying health problems .

Probiotics have been shown to be useful for combating diarrhea and constipation, for protecting the entire digestive system, but also for relieving the symptoms of diseases such as lactose intolerance, irritable bowel and Helicobacter pylori infection .

Where are probiotics found

In pharmacies and supermarkets, probiotics are found in the form of lactic ferments , to be used according to the instructions on the package and on the basis of the complaints accused. They generally don’t have any kind of side effects and are very effective.

How to take probiotics? It would be better to do it on an empty stomach , since it is essential that the bacteria pass the stomach unscathed without undergoing the action of gastric juices and reach the colon. If a digestive process is underway, the quantities of stomach acids are greater and the risk of probiotics not reaching the intestine is higher.

Probiotic foods: what are they?

If you do not want to take a supplement, you must consider having a good supply of natural probiotics , i.e. those found in food. The foods that contain probiotics are mainly dairy products , even more so if they are fermented.

So green light for yogurt and low-fat cheeses, but also for plant-based alternatives like tofu and sauerkraut – which are fermented cabbage. Warning: the probiotic intake of these foods is rather low, because passing through the destructive action of gastric juices , very few bacteria survive.

Therefore, if you think you need probiotics in large quantities, it is definitely better to use a supplement. The above foods are however essential for the well-being of the intestinal flora, and must therefore not be missing from our diet.

Photo source: https://pixabay.com/it/photos/cibo-colazione-yogurt-mirtilli-2726168/