Probiotics are compounds, chemicals and substances that encourage the bacteria that naturally occur in your digestive tract. Don’t worry about the word bacteria. The ones that live in your digestive tract are supposed to be there, and they’ve got a symbiotic relationship with you.
Here are some of the best natural probiotics that occur in foods to encourage the little guys in your gut!
Natural Probiotics
Sauerkraut
Fans of German food will be happy to hear that the ancient shredded cabbage dish is actually a probiotic. That’s because this popular European dish is fermented in lactic acid bacteria! Sauerkraut is one of the oldest dishes on earth and has been eaten in Europe for hundreds of years.
The sour, salty dish is great on sausages, can be eaten as a side and can even be stored in airtight containers for months. On top of all of that, it’s great for promoting good bacteria in your digestive tract.
Kimchi
Fans of sauerkraut, or those with knowledge of fermented foods, could have guessed the kimchi would make this list. Kimchi is not dissimilar from sauerkraut, as it is also made by fermenting vegetables. In fact, the most popular vegetable choice for kimchi is cabbage, making it a very similar dish to sauerkraut!
Much like its European cousin, kimchi is a great probiotic. This tasty, spicy Korean food is undeniably delicious to those who love it, but it’s a bit of an acquired taste. If it’s your thing, though, nothing else really compares to the sour, spicy flavor of kimchi.
Tempeh
You might be noticing a theme. Fermented foods tend to be a fantastic probiotic! Tempeh, an Indonesian soybean dish, is no exception. This earthy, nutty dish is a firm patty that is often used as a meat substitute. That’s because it’s high in protein and has a texture that mimics that of meat.
Like other fermented foods, tempeh is a stellar probiotic. Whether you eat meat or not, you can’t go wrong adding more tempeh to your diet.
Kombucha
Surprise, surprise, everyone’s favorite fermented tea drink is a fantastic probiotic. Kombucha is fermented by bacteria or yeast, and the types of microorganisms used to ferment the drink are quite friendly to humans. They encourage your stomach’s natural bacteria and can keep you quite healthy.
While the internet tends to go bananas on the supposed health benefits of kombucha, scientific evidence isn’t conclusive. However, like all fermented food products, the probiotic side-effects are a sure thing