Our intestines contain a variety of beneficial bacteria that are closely associated with our health and immune system. Healthy adults typically harbor more than 1000 different species of bacteria in our gut microbiome. These different species respond to what we eat. By focusing on feeding our microbiome we can create an internal balance to help our body absorb nutrients and help keep our immune system in fighting shape!
How can we feed and nourish these bacteria?
Prebiotics and probiotics are a great place to start! Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria, and are found in foods such as Greek yogurt, kefir, and fermented products like kimchi, unpasteurized pickles, and unpasteurized sauerkraut. Consuming probiotics is particularly important during antibiotic treatments, as they can prevent and reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea . Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates that provide food for our gut bacteria, and are found in foods such as beans, legumes, oats, bananas, berries, onions, broccoli and cabbage.
Try to incorporate prebiotics and probiotics into your daily eating plan to nourish your microbiome!
For some extra reading and valuable information on our gut health: