It’s no secret that probiotics are great for our gut, but did you know that the advantages of probiotics extend far beyond our digestive health?
Probiotics offer an entire suite of health benefits, some more unusual than others, and you can read about them all right here.
1. Stress and the gut-brain connection
You may have heard about the connection between the brain and the gut already, but what many fail to realize is exactly how intimate this connection actually is. Scientific studies suggest that the microorganisms that live in our gut interact with our nervous system.
With the support of probiotics, we can improve our gut microbiome, which ultimately impacts the chemicals our body produces as a natural stress response. A good microbiome is thought to play a role in communication between the brain and the gut, which researchers are studying in relation to mood and stress.
2. The gut and the immune system
Did you know that approximately 70% of our body’s immune cells reside in our gut’s lymphatic tissue? This figure alone shows just how important it is to maintain great gut health, and one simple way to do this is by introducing probiotics into our diet.
Researchers continue to study how gut bacteria interact with the immune system.
3. Skin and the gut
All cases of acne are different, and the causes vary, which is why it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint a solution. However, there is a distinct connection between the gut and the skin, and since the Western diet is dominated by processed foods and refined sugars, it’s hardly surprising that so many of us are experiencing problems with our skin.
Processed foods and refined sugars have an inflammatory effect and this inflammation shows on our skin. Reconsider your diet, making a conscious effort to minimise your consumption of processed foods and sugar, and look to introduce probiotics.
Researchers are exploring links between gut health and skin.
4. After a stomach bug
Stomach bugs aren’t unusual, but they are extremely uncomfortable and at times, very debilitating. The likes of diarrhea, sickness, aches and pains are all common symptoms associated with gastroenteritis, and while medications are available to help soothe the symptoms of these complaints, if we really want to target the direct cause of the problem, we need to consider our gut health.
Some people add probiotics to their diet to support gut balance after a stomach bug.
5. Improving our mood and how we feel
We often hear that those with a poor diet tend to suffer from more frequent mood swings, and it isn’t a myth. The gut and the brain are connected and if our gut is unhappy, then our mind will be unhappy, too. The neurons that sit in the lining of our gut produce a chemical called Serotonin, which influences how we feel; this is why it’s vital that we take great care of our gut health.
6. The gut and the respiratory tract
The human body is fascinating, and while each part of the body functions differently, everything is interlinked, including the respiratory tract and our gut.
There are lots of different microorganisms found in the respiratory tract, and the consumption of probiotics is being studied for its effects on these microorganisms and on respiratory health.
7. Fresh breath
Our mouths play home to a whole host of different bacteria and how our breath smells is often a reflection of what is going on inside our gut.
Bad breath, or as it’s medically known ‘halitosis’ is a harmless but unpleasant condition with many possible causes. The good news is that probiotics may help support a balanced oral and gut environment.
8. Sleep
There are lots of different reasons as to why a person may struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep, and researchers are studying the role of the gut. Gut microbes are involved in producing some neurotransmitters. The microbes in our gut also play a role in serotonin production, which helps to regulate our mood.
9. Gut health and weight: what we know
Researchers are exploring possible links between the gut microbiome and weight.
However, the evidence is still emerging, and probiotics are not a weight-loss product. Probiotics play an essential role in maintaining optimum gut health, and as we enhance our gut health, the functionality of our gut also improves, which is one part of overall wellbeing.
10. Production of vitamin B12 and other B vitamins
B vitamins play a vital role in helping our bodies break down the food we eat into usable energy.
As an increasing number of people adopt vegetarian and vegan diets, Vitamin B12 deficiencies are becoming more common. This is because Vitamin B12 is found predominantly in animal products. The good news is that our bodies can actually produce B vitamins as a result of consuming probiotics. The likes of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are popular probiotics and when consumed, they help produce not only vitamin B12, but many other B vitamins, too.
