What Are Probiotics?
If you've watched TV recently, you've seen everything from yogurt to cereal advertised as containing probiotics. But what exactly are they and why might you need them? Probiotics are strains of live "good bacteria" that may help regulate lactose digestion, boost the immune system, prevent infections in the digestive tract, and control certain colon inflammations. They are believed to be similar to the naturally occurring bacteria found inside your body that regulate digestion. Because of the many potential health benefits, several manufacturers have fortified popular food products such as cereal, fruit juices, soy drinks, and granola bars with live strains of "good bacteria."
To incorporate probiotics into your diet, you can also seek out foods that have always naturally contained them, including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, and buttermilk.
--Elisa Huang
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