Gut Health & What are Pre and Probiotics?
Some new research suggests that the bacteria in our gut can affect our lives in more ways than we would expect.
What does “Gut Health” mean?
The gut is part of our digestive tract. This is where the majority of food breaks down and absorbs into our bodies and is full of billions of different bacteria.1 The “good” bacteria help balance the “bad” bacteria. Maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria is KEY to healthy bodies.1 If the balance of bacteria is off, we are more likely to develop symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)1
The Gut and Brain Connection
We know our brains sends messages out to our body, but did you know the gut sends messages back?
Bacteria mediates the communication between our brain and gut. 2 Some studies show that our gut bacteria can affect how our brain processes information from our five senses.1 An imbalance of bacteria can lead to inflammation in the body. When inflammation is present, specifically the brain, it can contribute to anxiety and depression symptoms.2
What is the difference between a probiotic and prebiotic?
Probiotics- often found in supplement form and is defined as the living organisms that add bacteria strains to the gut.3 Probiotic foods include fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, kefir and kombucha. Probiotics may have a cholesterol lowering effect on the body. Intake of several probiotics’ strains have also been shown to reduce symptoms of IBS.
Prebiotics- the foods that feed the bacteria in your gut, such as certain fruits and vegetables. these aid the growth of good bacteria3. Prebiotic foods include soybeans, artichokes, raw oats, and unrefined wheat. Several prebiotic foods have shown to reduce symptoms associated with intestinal bowel disorder and show protective effects against cancer3
So what does this mean?
Maintaining a healthy diet with a variety of plant foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and fermented foods can aid in your body’s health in numerous ways!
References:
1. How Your Gut Health Affects Your Whole Body. Accessed September 10, 2020. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/ss/slideshow-how-gut-health-affects-whole-body
2. Kc D, Sumner R, Lippmann S. Gut microbiota and health. Published online 2019. doi:10.1080/00325481.2019.1662711
3. Pandey KR, Naik SR, Vakil B V. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics- a review. J Food Sci Technol. Published online 2015. doi:10.1007/s13197-015-1921-1
