According to the definition by FAO / WHO, probiotics are: ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’. These bacteria are said to be beneficial for the body. Most probiotic foods contain bacteria of the species like Lactobacillius and Bifidobacterium.
It is said that consuming probiotics helps maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract. Often, they are recommended after a course of antibiotics or as part of the treatment for gut related fungal infections.
By including foods rich in probiotics, we can maintain a healthy gut flora and thereby, avoid potential health problems.
Safety of the use of probiotics in young children, elderly people and people with compromised immune systems is yet to be proven. Side effects of probiotics tend to be mild and digestive (like gas or bloating). But they can also be serious leading to infections and unhealthy metabolic activities, if taken in excess.
They can be found in fermented food products such as yoghurt, fermented and unfermented milk, cabbage etc.
Source: Portal Content Development Team
Last Modified : 2/20/2020