Benefits of ‘good’ bacteria

Probiotics are found in yogurt and other fermented foods. Probiotics help clear diarrhoea and may help with people who can’t digest lactose, the sugar in milk. PHOTO| FILE

What you need to know:

  • One of this good bacteria is called Lactobacillus which is the most common probiotics.

  • Probiotics are found in yogurt and other fermented foods. Probiotics help clear diarrhoea and may help with people who can’t digest lactose, the sugar in milk.

  • It is necessary for people taking antibiotics to consume foods rich in probiotics.

WE USUALLY THINK of bacteria as something that causes diseases. But do you know that there is bacteria that is good and that we can’t survive without this “good” bacteria.

Our bodies habour both “good” and “bad” bacteria. The good bacteria promotes health and the moment the “good” bacteria is reduced, the body becomes vulnerable to disease. Poor diet, medicine or poor hygiene depletes the “good” bacteria.

Antibiotics kill bacteria both the good and the bad germs. Antibiotics cannot discern the good from the bad and also erodes the good bacteria.

Foods that have no fibre may contribute to the erosion of the good bacteria. Fibre comes from plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, lentils, legumes, tubers, corn. The fibre will vary in quantity and type. The two types of fibre, however, have different benefits.

When you lose the “good” bacteria in your body probably due to treatment with antibiotics, it is important to replenish them immediately.

One of this good bacteria is called Lactobacillus which is the most common probiotics.

Probiotics are found in yogurt

Probiotics are found in yogurt and other fermented foods. Probiotics help clear diarrhoea and may help with people who can’t digest lactose, the sugar in milk.

It is necessary for people taking antibiotics to consume foods rich in probiotics.

Other common conditions probiotics treat are;

Irritable bowel syndrome, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious diarrhoea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites) antibiotic-related diarrhea

Probiotics can also ease the symptoms of non-stomach-related problems like skin conditions, like eczema, gut healthy.