Probiotics are microorganisms found in the intestinal flora.
Probiotic is an adjective that applies to certain microorganisms present in the intestinal flora. The term, in any case, is not part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) .
Probiotics are bacteria that provide benefits to the body. When they reach the intestine, they remain alive and active, causing positive effects on the person. Probiotics not only remain attached to the intestinal mucosa, but they even remain alive when they are expelled and become part of the feces.
Benefits and risks of probiotics
Taking probiotics in certain quantities is therefore healthy. Strengthening the immune system and regulating intestinal balance are some of the positive effects caused by these bacteria, present in yogurt and certain milks .
However, we cannot ignore other important benefits of probiotics, such as the following:
- They are useful to deal with diarrhea.
- They become a great tool to combat diseases such as those that inflame the intestine or irritable bowel disease.
- They manage to improve lactose intolerance.
- Various studies carried out also agree that they are beneficial in reducing the risks of suffering from colon cancer.
The positive action of probiotics arises from the competition that these microorganisms carry out against other harmful ones. When probiotics manage to occupy certain spaces in the body , harmful bacteria cannot proliferate and tend to disappear.
It must be taken into account that excessive intake of probiotics can cause damage, such as the appearance of diarrhea or an infection in the intestine.
Probiotics are positive for health.
Differences with prebiotics
It is important to distinguish between probiotics and prebiotics .
Prebiotic substances are not digestible, but their function is to promote the development of healthy bacteria in the body. Prebiotics contribute to the promotion of life , unlike antibiotics (which prevent the development of certain vital forms). In other words: while probiotics are living organisms (bacteria), prebiotics are substances that lack life but can promote it.
On top of all that, it's important to know where probiotics and prebiotics can be found. In this sense, to increase the presence of both in the body, the following tips should be followed:
- Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables.
- Keep fat consumption under control.
- -Drink two yogurts a day or you can opt to introduce kefir into your diet.
- It is advisable, when preparing certain dishes, to add a little garlic or onion.
- Among the healthiest foods to increase the amount of probiotics and prebiotics are artichokes.
The importance of probiotics
In the same way, it is necessary to take into account other important aspects related to probiotics. Specifically, they must be present in the lives of all people, except those under 1 year of age .
That is to say, except in that case, it is advisable and necessary that we all eat food and carry out the aforementioned recommendations to benefit from the advantages that these elements guarantee.