Top 10 Probiotic Foods

Probiotic foods contain live bacteria that are beneficial to human health. These bacteria strengthen the digestive system and help eliminate toxins and improve overall health. Many probiotic foods can be helpful in staying fit and losing weight as well. The top ten Probiotic foods are as follows:

1. Yogurt

Yogurt is the most popular probiotic product containing the bacteria: Lactobacillus Acidophillus. Yogurt was also the first known Probiotic health food. Since the 1920s it became known as acidophilus milk and was used as more than just a food item. If you want to buy yogurt for this reason you should shop for brands with live cultures.

2. Buttermilk

Buttermilk also carries Probiotic health benefits. This can be used on its own or as an addition to fresh fruit smoothies. Buttermilk can also be used when baking and as a substitute for regular milk in many recipes.

3. Kefir

Kefir grains are used to make a drink that is also contains fermented milk. The process of fermentation is done overnight. The drink has a very sour taste and is made more palatable by mixing with it with fresh fruit or sweeteners.

4. Tempeh

Tempeh is a soy product that has been fermented. The result is a beneficial mold binding the whole soy beans together. The texture of Tempeh is a lot like meat and it is a great replacement for meat in vegetarian dishes; as it has proteins and vitamin B12.

5. Miso

Miso comes from the Japanese and is made by fermenting beans and grains. It is used as a seasoning for sauces, soups and spreads. Popular types of miso include Shiromiso (white miso), Kuromiso (black miso) and Akamiso (red miso).

6. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is actually a kind of pickled cabbage that is fermented in brine. Many people don’t know that this popular food is probiotic as well.

7. Kim Chi

Kim Chi is the Korean version of Sauerkraut and this fermented cabbage has a pungent smell and spicy flavor. Koreans use it as relish or side dish.

8. Brewer’sYeast

This is actually a by product of the beer making process. The nutrients that are cast off as beer is being made, come together in the form of Brewer’s Yeast to serve as a beneficial probiotic.

9. Soy Sauce

Soy Souce is very popular and contains probiotic benefits. Fermented soy sauce is a great idea to use with soups, rice and Asian food recipes.

10. Pickled Vegetables

Almost all kinds of pickled vegetables contain probiotic nutrients that will ensure a better digestion and healthy immune system.

It is also important to note that PREBIOTICS are foods that probiotics are known to consume. Having prebiotics like honey, fruit, raw apple cider vinegar, sprouted wheat and tomato will help the bacteria to thrive in your digestive system and aid better health.