Probiotic Foods are microorganisms that come with lots of benefits. Although not limited to good bacteria, most probiotics are beneficial bacteria. There are lots of benefits associated with the use of probiotics. However, for these many benefits to be enjoyed, probiotics have to be consumed.
That being said, below are the best probiotic foods that are super healthy.
Kefir
Kefir is gotten when a goat or cow milk is mixed with kefir grains. It grains should not be mistaken for cereal grains because they are not. They, however, are yeast and lactic acid bacteria cultures that have some resemblances to cauliflower.
When consumed regularly here, kefir helps straighten the bone and also keeps the body protected from infections. Although kefir is not the most famous source of probiotics in meals, it is a great source of probiotics. This is because in it are major yeast and bacteria strains. Beyond being a great source of probiotics, kefir can be taken easily by people that are lactose intolerant.
Yogurt
There are lots of sources of probiotics. One of them is yogurts. Yogurts are not just a source of probiotics, they are also very bacteria friendly and can make the health better to a large extent. Yogurts are gotten from milk which has already been fermented by bacteria. Although yogurts are produced from milk that has been fermented by bacteria, they are mainly fermented by bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria.
There are many health benefits associated with feeding on yogurts. Some of them are better bone health and lowered blood pressure. Taking yogurts cab also helps with diarrhea which is related to antibiotics. Furthermore, yogurt provides relief to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
That’s not all. Yogurts can be enjoyed by people that have lactose intolerance. This occurs because some of the lactose is converted to lactic acid.
While some yogurts have live probiotics, it should be noted that not all of them come with live probiotics as some of the live bacteria die during processing. Due to this, if you must get the best out of yogurts, you have to consume those with live cultures. Furthermore, you should take the the time to go through the label as this will help you know what you will be consuming.
Tempeh
Tempeh is a meal that is popular all over the world. It, however, was fist eaten in Indonesia as that is where it has its origin. In its simplest form, it is fermented soybean and has a flavor that is similar to that of a mushroom. Tempeh is very nutritious and is a great source of probiotics. This is possible because of the fermentation process that it goes through. On its own, the soybeans are very high in phytic acid. However, its phytic acid is reduced due to fermentation. When this fermentation occurs, you are able to absorb nutrients.
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a popular meal across Europe. Beyond being popular, it is also an ancient meal. Although it can be prepared in various ways, it is more commonly used as a side dish or on sausages. Sauerkraut can be kept in an airtight can for long periods. Also, its taste is salty and sour.
While sauerkraut is popular as a source of probiotics, there is more to it. It contains huge volumes of vitamin K, B, and C. It is also very rich in fiber, manganese, and iron.
To get the best out of the use of sauerkraut as a source of probiotics, you should purchase sauerkraut that is yet to be pasteurized. This because pasteurization kills active bacteria.
Miso
Miso is a seasoning that has its origin in Japan. It is prepared by fermenting soybeans with koji and salt. While miso has to be fermented when it’s produced traditionally, it can also be produced by mixing ingredients such as rye, rice, and barley with soyabeans.
Miso has a salty taste and can be gotten in various varieties. These varieties are of different colors; brown, red, yellow, and white.
Miso is rich in fiber and protein. Furthermore, it contains huge doses of minerals, vitamins, copper, manganese, and vitamin K. According to studies, the frequent consumption of miso brings about a reduced likelihood of breast cancer and stroke.
Kimchi
Kimchi is a fermented dish with its origin in Korea. It is made up of several ingredients and chief of these ingredients is cabbage. Kimchi is not eaten bare. It has to be mixed with a couple of seasonings before it gets consumed. Some of these seasonings include ginger, garlic, pepper flakes, and scallion. Contained in kimchi are lactobacillus Kimchii and a host of other lactic acid bacteria that are beneficial to the digestive health.
Pickles
Pickles are also known as gherkins. They are basically cucumbers. However, unlike regular cucumbers, they have been muddled in salt and water. Pickles contain probiotic bacteria in good amounts and are believed to be good for digestive health. Furthermore, they contain vitamin K and play an active role in blood clotting.
Although pickles made with salt and water contain probiotics, those made with vinegar do not have a love probiotics content.
Kombucha
Kombucha is fermented tea. It could be green or blank. Although majorly consumed in Asia, Kombucha is consumed all over the world. Beyond being consumed in various parts of the world, Kombucha can be purchased over the internet.
This meal has been around for a long time and is associated with many health benefits. While these health benefits are overwhelming, there are no strong proves of the health benefits of Kombucha
Natto
Just like miso and tempeh, Natto is fermented soybeans. It is a regular meal in Japanese culture and is served as breakfast alongside rice. Natto has a strong flavor, a slimy texture, and a distinctive smell. Furthermore, it contains a good level of vitamin K2 and protein. This makes it perfect for the bones and heart.
Traditional Buttermilk
Basically, two types of buttermilk exist. They are cultured buttermilk and traditional buttermilk. Unlike cultured buttermilk which does not contain probiotics, you can obtain probiotics by feeding on traditional buttermilk.