The benefits of probiotics for gut health are vast and varied. Probiotics, also known as “good bacteria,” are living microorganisms that can provide numerous health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.
From better digestion to improved brain function, let’s discuss the many benefits of probiotics for your gut health.
1. Helps With Digestion
Our digestive system is home to trillions of bacteria, both good and bad. When the balance of bacteria in our gut is disrupted, it can lead to various digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea.
Probiotics help restore this balance by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in our gut. They also produce enzymes that aid in digestion, helping us break down food more effectively.
Probiotics can also help with certain digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These two conditions can cause uncomfortable symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhoea, which probiotics have been shown to alleviate.
2. Boosts Immune System
Did you know that about 70% of our immune system is located in our gut?
This makes sense since our gut is responsible for breaking down and absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. Probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut environment, which is essential for overall immune function.
Studies have shown that consuming probiotics can help reduce the risk of developing respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and even allergies. According to Healthline, the probiotic Lactobacillus crispatus has been shown to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in women by 50%.
They do this by improving our body’s ability to fight off harmful bacteria and viruses.
3. Aids In Weight Loss & Belly Fat
The best probiotics for weight loss are strains from the Lactobacillus family, specifically L. gasseri.
These probiotics have been shown to reduce body fat percentage and waist circumference in multiple studies. The exact reason for how probiotics affect weight loss is still being studied, but it appears to be a combination of multiple factors.
4. Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Certain probiotic strains may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure, which are both risk factors for heart disease.
Bile, a substance produced by the liver that aids in digestion, can become harmful if it builds up in the body. Probiotics help regulate bile levels, preventing it from becoming harmful and contributing to heart disease.
5. Improves Some Mental Health Conditions
There has been a lot of rumour around gut health linking to mental health, with some scientists dubbing the gut as our “second brain”. While more research is still needed, studies have shown that certain probiotics may help improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, memory, and even autism.
This may be due to the connection between our gut and brain through the gut-brain axis. The gut is home to millions of neurons that produce neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that regulate mood and behaviour. When the balance of good and bad bacteria in our gut is disrupted, it can also affect our mental health.
Another theory is that probiotics may reduce inflammation in the body, which has been linked to mental health conditions. By reducing inflammation, probiotics may help improve symptoms of certain mental health conditions.
It is clear that gut health is vital for your well-being, both physically and mentally. Incorporating probiotics into your diet, whether through food or supplements, can have a positive impact on your overall health.
You might not experience results immediately as it takes a few weeks for probiotics to colonise in your gut, but with consistent consumption, you may notice improvements in your digestion, immune system, heart health, and even mental well-being.
Experience The Benefits Of Probiotics For Gut Health
Ready to experience the benefits of probiotics for your gut health? Whether you’re dealing with digestive issues or simply want to improve your overall health, it’s time to consider incorporating probiotics into your daily routine.
Our Slender Wonder Probiotics supplement is the perfect way to boost your gut health with a mix of beneficial bacteria strains!
Contact us today if you have more questions.