Probiotics are living bacteria, which are believed to have health benefits that range from improving digestion and promoting gut health, to helping after food poisoning, reducing sugar cravings, relieving skin conditions, and improving mood disorders.
They can be found in certain foods, such as yogurt and other fermented products, or taken as supplements by putting them in your diet.
Your gut has both good and bad bacteria, they’re in balance to maintain good health. When the amount of good bacteria is not enough, probiotics help to replenish it.
But how can you tell if you need probiotics? Here are 5 signs that may indicate you should consider adding probiotics to your diet.
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1. You Have Digestive Problems
Digestive problems may be the first reason you’ll think to take probiotics. Probiotics help restore the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. This could lead to improved digestion, including better absorption of nutrients from food. Probiotics may also help reduce symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, and bloating & gas.
Chronic Diarrhea
If you suffer from chronic diarrhea, you may need probiotics, which help to relieve the frequency of bowel movements and reduce the number of diarrhea.
Constipation
Constipation can be caused by the imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. Probiotics can help restore regular bowel motions and therefore promote the discharge of stool.
Gas and Bloating
If you have uncomfortable gas, bloating, indigestion, and abdominal pain after eating certain foods, you may need to take a probiotic. Probiotics work to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your digestive system. This helps break down food more efficiently, reducing bloating and gas.
2. You’re After Food Poisoning
You may have digestive problems after food poisoning, which may leave bad bacteria in your gut that may disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in your digestive system.
Try taking probiotics to eliminate any residual harmful gut bacteria if you’ve been experiencing constipation, diarrhea, or other bowel-related concerns after food poisoning.
3. Have Have Sugar Cravings
Sugar cravings are intense desires for sweet foods, especially when these cravings become out of control. Sugar cravings can be triggered by a variety of factors including stress, fatigue, hormones, and even certain food additives.
Probiotics can reduce the number of bacteria that eating sugar stimulates, which can help you reduce sugar cravings.
4. You Have Skin Problems
If you’re experiencing skin problems, such as acne and eczema, it may be a sign that your body needs probiotics. Probiotics can help with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Probiotics are thought to work by regulating the immune system, reducing inflammation, and helping to maintain skin barrier function. Those good bacteria in probiotics may also help to balance the levels of microbes on the surface of your skin, which can reduce irritation and other symptoms associated with skin problems.
5. You Have Mood Disorders
Mood disorders, like depression and anxiety, are becoming increasingly common in our life. While medications and therapies can be helpful for managing these conditions, you can also take probiotics to improve your mood disorder symptoms.
Probiotics may help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue. It is believed that changes in gut microbiota can influence mood.
Final Thought
Probiotics are living microorganisms that provide numerous benefits to our gastrointestinal health.
When you select a probiotic supplement, consult your doctor and pick one formulated with a strain of beneficial bacteria (such as Lactobacillus, or Bifidobacterium) to address your particular condition.
