All health enthusiasts know that the benefits of probiotics, in many ways, top even those of multivitamins. Probiotics are basically living bacteria, which provide us with several benefits, especially in the gastrointestinal tract. We all know that our body contains trillions of bacteria, and it is the balance between good and bad bacteria that determines good health in an individual. It is estimated that a ratio of 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria is what makes for a healthy balance in the body. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of probiotics...

Probiotics are necessary, because they help avoid bloating, constipation and diarrhoea. In some people, they may also help in fighting headaches, nausea, fatigue and dealing with sugar and processed carbohydrates cravings. 

To understand the benefits of probiotics, we need to first understand the role of probitiocs in our body and what makes them necessary:

• Probiotics help in healthy functioning of the immune system. They produce antibiotic compounds and help in changing the way the white cells and antibodies work.
• Probiotics also help in flushing out yeast and parasites for your body, by keeping you away from diseases that cause pathogens.
• Probiotics also help in digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body by synthesizing B-complex and vitamins.
• Probiotics are also beneficial in maintaining blood cholesterol levels. 

The main benefits of probiotics are:

• Probiotics aid digestion, especially of hard foods. They also help people who are lactose intolerant.

• Probiotics improve calcium absorption.
• They keep a healthy balance of micro flora (ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria), which is present in the intestine.
• Probiotics also help in promoting vaginal health in women. 
• Probiotics help fight bad abdominal health, by keeping you away from bloating and occasional stomach-related irregularities.

To derive adequate benefits from probiotics, you need to rely on these food sources:

• Dairy products, which includes yogurt and kefir (a tart drinkable style of yogurt). It is a must to read labels properly to check ‘live active cultures’ before purchasing yogurts with antibiotics.
• Dark chocolate. Chocolate lovers will appreciate this, we think.
• Believe it or not, the common green pickle is an excellent food source of probiotics too.
• Probiotics supplements, prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

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