Health up your gut with these foods.
Whether you struggle with tummy troubles or simply want to help your body operate at peak health, probiotics are one food category to add to the menu. Get the goods on the top 10 probiotic-rich foods for gut health.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support many parts of the body, including the brain. However, they’re particularly useful if you want foods for gut health. These microorganisms help food move through the digestive system, and they can also “outweigh” the impact of bad bacteria in your gut.
Good bacteria are found naturally in the digestive tract. Foods rich in these substances support the body’s probiotic levels; however, if you’ve recently been ill or have taken antibiotics (which kill good bacteria) your healthcare provider may recommend a probiotic-rich diet to repopulate your gut.
1. Yogurt
This is one of the top probiotic-rich foods for gut health. Plus, for most of us, it’s probably the easiest one to regularly incorporate into the menu. Be aware that not all yogurt contains probiotics, so check the label to make sure it says “live active cultures” if you’re specifically looking for gut health support. Try yogurt in Easy-to-Make Lemon Cumin Yogurt Dip or Breakfast Berry & Yogurt Crunch.
2. Sauerkraut
Fermented foods, like this German cuisine staple, are rich in probiotics, plus they offer additional enzymes that aid gut health. In addition to sauerkraut, try the traditional Korean dish called kimchi, a fermented recipe made from cabbages and radishes.
3. Dark Chocolate
Rejoice! This dark treat contains probiotics as well as prebiotics, which act as a food source for the microbes in your digestive tract. As a result, it can increase the level of good microbes to offset the unhealthy ones that trigger tummy troubles. Savor it in Chocolate Fruit & Nut Clusters and Chocolate Rice Pudding.
4. Tempeh
The fermented soybeans in tempeh make it a natural gut health food. Tempeh, which originated in Indonesia, is loaded with probiotics that shield the gut against unhealthy bacteria, like E. coli. Find it in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Try delicious Maple Glazed Tempeh with Quinoa and Kale.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
This superfood is actually a prebiotic, which means it feeds the healthy microorganisms in your gut. The source of ACV’s prebiotic is pectin, the same fiber that makes apples a filling snack. Drink up with Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Drink or try Creamy Apple Cider Vinaigrette.