PROBIOTICS : GOOD GUT BACTERIA, FOODS RICH IN PROBIOTICS ,WHAT KILLS GOOD GUT BACTERIA, INDIAN TRADITION OF PROBIOTICS

https://sciencezy.blogspot.com/2022/01/probiotics-good-gut-bacteria-foods-rich.html

In this article, we will learn about Probiotics, good gut bacteria, and what are the conditions that kill good gut bacteria. What are the foods that increase good gut bacteria naturally?

Probiotics are the food pro(life) biotics (organisms). These are the food preparations that have live microorganisms. These are not medications, these are food preparation. Probiotic food has a population of microorganisms that are friendly to our gut.

 We have a very old tradition of probiotics. In India, different regions have different probiotic foods. These are taken by the population to keep their gut healthy. 

 Principle behind probiotics

Our gut has a population of microorganisms, some of which are harmful and others being good. Serving a good population of live microorganisms through food can improve the overall health of people and this is the main principle of probiotics.

 We have a tradition of taking Lactobacillus through sour milk,  Yogurt (Dahi), Chhach.

Probiotics increase the good bacterial population naturally. The good bacteria eliminate or reduce the bad /pathogenic bacteria through ecological competition. 

Good bacteria help in increasing appetite 

 Cure inflammatory bowel, that causes pain in the belly.

  Good bacteria help in the metabolism of many food products.

GOOD GUT BACTERIA:

There is a community of microorganisms that are present in our gut. Some of which are listed here

BACTERIAL SPECIES OF GUT

Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus casei

Bifidobacterium

Enterococcus

Other microorganisms found in  probiotics

 Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Pichia anamola

Trichosporon spp

Candida tropicalis

WHAT KILLS GOOD GUT BACTERIA

 Antibiotics

  Antibiotics by principle, cannot distinguish between good and bad populations of microorganisms, they kill them all.

 Diarrhea

 Further, antibiotics cause diarrhea that eliminates the good bacteria population from the gut.

Chronic infectious diarrhea

 It is caused by bacteria, fungus, or viruses, it washes of good bacteria from the gut. Once cured the microbial population is established again by supplementation of probiotics in the diet.

 Alcohol also decreases good bacteria in the gut. 

Beverage, chocolate preparations with heavy added sugar are digested fast in the gut and thus do not allow the growth of good bacteria in the gut.

 Prebiotics: Foods that increase good gut microorganisms 

Some food items are known to be Prebiotics as they help in the growth of the population of microorganisms in the gut. The Prebiotics have carbohydrates (cellulose/lactose, etc) that are the food for microorganisms. These are green leafy vegetables, sour bread, raw seeds, sprouts.

RELATIONSHIP OF PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS

  FOODS RICH IN PROBIOTICS: The Indian tradition of Probiotics 

In India we use pickles, which are preserved foods, they have enhanced taste, as well as they have a good population of microorganisms so these are traditional probiotics. 

The range of probiotics that are used in India as appetizers include

Lemonade, most common non-alcoholic drink used in India. If it does not have sugar, it is a probiotic.

 Koozh is a breakfast preparation used in Tamil Nadu made from millet and broken rice that is fermented in a pot. Koozh has Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Enterococcus population. 

 Toddy is used as an alcoholic beverage but fresh toddy is a Probiotic. It is the sap of a palm tree. It is the Probiotic preparation of Telangana State.

Kanji is used in North India. It is prepared from red carrot or purple carrot, beats, seasoned with mustard seed and spices. It is allowed to ferment for 3-4 days. Kanji is used as an appetizer.  It keeps the body warm in winter.

 Hamei is a rice fermented drink. It has 9 microbial species that have been so far identified. Species identified in this probiotic are Saccharomyces, Trichosporium species, Candida tropicalis, etc

 Hadiya another North Indian fermented food prepared from rice, it is also a probiotic

HOW GOOD PROBIOTICS ARE

Probiotics increase good microbiota in the gut.

They improve appetite

They improve the taste of food 

Cure irritable bowel symptoms

Cure inflammatory bowel symptoms

Improve digestion.

Decrease population of harmful microorganism

There is no fixed quantity of probiotics to 

 The health benefits of probiotics are a matter of research.

Further, the health benefits of probiotics are not universal. Old people and immunocompromised persons may show adverse effects of probiotics. So they should discontinue the use of probiotics.

Note: This is a knowledge-sharing platform. Information given here is not to be used for medical purposes. We do not use this platform for the promotion of any medical formations.