Foods That Contain Friendly Bacteria
Your body needs friendly bacteria (or probiotics) to support the immune system, to protect against disease-causing organisms and to digest and absorb food and nutrients. Although there are many friendly bacteria, the most common probiotics are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.
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Fermented Diary
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Fermented dairy products such as yogurt, cultured buttermilk, cultured milk, acidophilus milk, fermented cheeses and kefir (a drink made of milk fermented with kefir grains) contain probiotics.
Fermented Asian Foods
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Miso, tempeh and kimchi contain friendly bacteria.
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Other Foods
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Other foods that contain friendly bacteria include sauerkraut, sourdough bread, fermented olives and fermented pickles. Any food that has been through a fermentation process likely contains probiotics.
Considerations
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Probiotic foods and supplements are sensitive to heat, humidity, acidic conditions and exposure to air, thus requiring refrigeration to prolong shelf life.
Fun Fact
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According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, friendly bacteria make up two to three pounds of human body weight.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of yomi yomi
