Some of you may have seen this
article in the Des Moines Register last week, but in case you missed it, here
it is:
The human
digestive system is naturally inhabited by billions of bacteria that are
collectively called the microbiome. Most
of the bacteria resides in the lining of the human gut, which contains about
three pounds of bacteria. The balance of
beneficial and harmful bacteria is vital for immune health, and can be thrown
out of balance by a wide range of circumstances. These include antibiotic use, poor diet,
excess alcohol intake, stress and disease. In circumstances like these, beneficial bacteria can decrease in number,
allowing harmful competitors to thrive. Beneficial
bacteria aid in absorption of nutrients, fight against infections and help with
digestion. Poor gut balance can cause
digestive problems including gas, diarrhea and constipation. Emerging research is showing healthy
individuals tend to have a more diverse makeup of bacteria compared to people
with certain diseases. Research is being
done studying the link between gut bacteria and almost every disease in the
body. While the evidence is still
forming, there appears to be a link between certain cancers, obesity,
inflammatory and intestinal diseases and bacteria makeup of the gut.
A diet containing
probiotics and a wide variety of plant foods that are low in sugar and
saturated fat may help create a more diverse microbiome. Dannon® Oikos® Triple Zero yogurt is the dietitian pick for November, and is a
great source of beneficial probiotics, plus it contains prebiotics as
well. Prebiotics act as food for the beneficial
bacteria in the gut. Chicory root is the
prebiotic source in Oikos® Triple Zero yogurt, and is naturally sweet, but
provides no calories. The main sweetener
in the yogurt is stevia, a natural plant-based sweetener. Other sources of prebiotics include fibrous
plant foods, especially leeks, artichokes, asparagus, bananas, legumes and
oatmeal.
There are
many other probiotic products on the market with claims for potential health benefits, many of
which only have preliminary research to support at this time. The following foods contain probiotics.
- Yogurt
- Kefir (fermented dairy product, consistency of liquid yogurt)
- Sauerkraut
- Fermented foods,
such as mirin and tempeh
- Look for
“live and active cultures” logo
- World Health
Organization states that probiotics must remain alive for duration of
shelf life and be in amounts high enough for beneficial effect for product
to claim probiotic effect
Adding Oikos® Triple Zero yogurt to your daily diet is a delicious way to increase your probiotic intake. It comes in many delicious flavors including Banana Crème, Chocolate, Coconut Crème, Coffee, Strawberry, Salted Caramel and more. In addition, each single serving size container boasts 15 grams of filling protein, making this a great addition to your breakfast or afternoon snack.
If you have
questions regarding probiotics, stop by the dietitian office and I’d be happy
to answer your questions!
-Dietitian Amanda
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