In case you need a reminder, gut health is important for better overall health. So whatβs one way to support your gut health? Simple – take a probiotic. If thatβs not enough, probiotics can actually do more than just support your gut health. In fact, they have plenty of side effects that are great for the body.
What will happen if I take a probiotic every day?
1. Youβll have fewer digestive issues
If youβre battling with any digestive issues, you may want to consider taking a probiotic.
Around 7 million people are currently living with inflammatory bowel disease, but taking a probiotic may ease their symptoms. According to aΒ studyΒ published in Nutrients, supplementingΒ with a multi-strain probiotic has the potential to improve IBS symptoms.
Additionally, probiotics have also been found to help not only prevent diarrhea but also reduce its severity (1).
2. Youβll have a strongerΒ immune system
According to a studyΒ published in Annals ofΒ NutritionΒ andΒ Metabolism, ingesting probiotics can help to trigger immune responses, helping to keep the body safe and healthy. Additionally, another studyΒ from Frontiers inΒ PharmacologyΒ found that probiotics helped to not only reduce the incidence and duration of acute respiratory tract infections but also helped to reduce the number of sick days.
3. You’ll handle yourΒ weightΒ better
If you’re trying to shed more of those lockdown pounds, then might we suggest taking a probiotic? While theyβre not magical weight loss pills, probiotics can certainly help make your journey with your weight easier.
According to Healthline, probiotics help to releaseΒ appetite-regulating hormonesΒ and also make your body keep fewer calories from the foods you eat.
That said, aΒ 2019 systematic review and meta-analysisΒ found thatΒ probiotic supplementation helped to significantlyΒ reduceΒ body weight, waist circumference, body fat, and BMI.
4. YouβllΒ improveΒ your mood
Itβs been a draining few months, to say the least, but taking a probiotic may help to improve your mood.
According to a studyΒ published in Trends in Food Science and Technology, psychobiotics – which are a class of probiotics – may help to improve emotional and behavioral disorders resulting from the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak.
5. YouβllΒ have more energy
If your energy levels are a little low, donβt reach for an energy drink thatβll do more harm than good. Rather, opt for probiotics.
Your body gets energy from the nutrients it absorbs. However, a gut imbalance can prevent proper nutrient absorption. This can then cause a deficiency in energy levels. However, Β by taking probiotics, which can improve gut health, you are helping to improve your energy levels.
Photo by Daily Nouri on Unsplash
6. Youβll have fewer UTIβs
According to a 2019 study, a product containing two strains of the probiotic Lactobacilli as well as cranberry extract was found to safely and effectively prevent recurrent UTIs in premenopausal adult women.
Around 150 million people per year deal with urinary tract infectionsΒ (UTIs),Β but if you donβt want to be part of this statistic, then you might want to take a probiotic.
7. You’ll improve your fertility
According to a studyΒ published in PloS one, probiotics may have the potential to improve male fertility potential. Additionally, a seperate studyΒ published in the JournalΒ ofΒ Clinical BiochemistryΒ andΒ NutritionΒ found that supplementing with prebiotics helped to βimprove gut dysbiosis and the success of pregnancy in females with infertility.β
Photo by Camila Cordeiro on Unsplash
8. Youβll have clearer skin
The benefits of probiotics don’t stop at gut health, as a study published in the British JournalΒ of Dermatology found thatΒ βOral and topical probiotics appear to be effective for the treatment of certain inflammatory skin diseases and demonstrate a promising role in wound healing and skin cancer.β
9. Your heart will thank you
Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide – even during a pandemic. Therefore, itβs important to find ways in which to improve and protect your cardiovascular health.
A 2020 study suggests that probiotics may assist in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, however, more research into the topic is still needed.
Getting probiotics
Now that you understand the benefits of probiotics in fertility, check out theΒ best probiotics for women in this guide so that you can improve your overall health. While you can buy qualityΒ probiotic supplements, you can also find live probiotic cultures in foods like pickles, yogurt, tempeh, miso, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
