Probiotics are live microorganisms that have been shown to provide a range of health benefits. They can be found in certain foods, such as yogurt and fermented vegetables, or taken as supplements.
Research suggests that probiotics may help improve digestive health, boost immunity, reduce inflammation and even aid weight loss. Here are seven of the most important benefits of probiotics:
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Improved Digestive Health
Probiotics can help restore balance to the gut microbiome by increasing beneficial bacteria levels. This helps promote regularity and reduce symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as bloating and abdominal pain. Additionally, research has shown that taking probiotic supplements may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
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Boosted Immunity
Probiotics play an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system by helping to regulate inflammatory responses within the body. Studies suggest that consuming probiotic-rich foods or taking supplements may help strengthen your immune system against infections like colds and flu viruses.
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Reduced Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Consuming probiotic-rich foods or taking probiotic supplements has been shown to decrease markers of inflammation in both humans and animals alike.
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Weight Loss Aid
Some studies have suggested that consuming certain types of probiotic strains may help support weight loss efforts by reducing appetite hormones like ghrelin while also promoting satiety hormones like GLP-1 which make you feel full for longer periods after eating meals containing them. Additionally, some evidence suggests they could increase fat burning during exercise too!
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Improved Mental Health
Recent research indicates there is a strong link between gut health and mental wellbeing; this means improving your gut flora through consumption of prebiotic rich food sources or supplementation could potentially lead to improved moods & reduced anxiety levels over time.
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Lower Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol is one major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, however, recent studies indicate supplementing with specific strains of lactic acid bacteria (LABs) can significantly lower total cholesterol & LDL “bad” cholesterol levels without affecting HDL “good” cholesterol levels.
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Better Skin Health
The skin is home to millions upon millions microbes, so it makes sense why having balanced microbial populations on our skin would benefit us greatly. Supplementing with certain LABs has been proven effective at treating acne & other skin conditions due to their anti-inflammatory properties. There is also evidence to suggest that these same LABs could protect against UV damage caused by sun exposure.