There are some bacteria that are called ‘good bacteria’ or ‘Probiotics’ because they keep your gut healthy and functioning well. There are both good and bad bacteria in our bodies. When the bad bacteria are in excess, you have an infection. Having good bacteria in your body, helps you keep out excess bad bacteria and maintain a balance that in turn keeps you healthy.

Some of the functions of these probiotics are

• They support your immune function and reduce inflammation
• Help you digest food
• Support weight management
• Avoid overgrowth of bad bacteria
• Help in vitamin production

There are some foods that naturally contain these probiotics. Consuming such foods often but in a controlled amount, helps you have a proper or required level of good bacteria in your body, to stay healthy. Here is a list of the food that is a source of probiotics:

• Yogurt
• Buttermilk
• Cottage cheese
• Tempeh
• Miso
• Kefir
• Sourdough bread
• Kimchi
• Sauerkraut
• Fermented food

Certain foods cause harm to the good bacteria in your gut. Consuming such food frequently can cause the levels of good bacteria in your body to drop and results in an imbalance of the gut bacteria. This condition is called dysbiosis, which gradually leads to infections and sickness. Avoid frequent consumption of the foods listed below, so that you don’t have an imbalance in your gut.

• Food high in sugar content
• Highly processed food
• Gluten rich food
• Food with GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Apart from these foods, excessive stress and consumption of antibiotics too can damage your gut health. When consuming antibiotics, it is important to have probiotic-rich food, to avoid digestive problems.

Your gut plays a major role in your health and wellbeing. Eating a well-balanced diet with some probiotic-rich food and a healthy lifestyle helps you maintain a healthy gut naturally.