Probiotics - Health Or Hype?

Probiotics have been a part of our diets for decades and there is no doubt that our grandmothers already knew the importance of probiotics in our diet!

Probiotics are nothing but gut-friendly bacteria which are beneficial for our health. The human gut has about 400 to 500 types of microbes and each person has a different mix of friendly bacteria that keeps your gut healthy.

Benefits of Consuming Probiotics

• Strengthens the immune system.
• Helps in absorbing nutrients
• Prevents and treats diarrhea.
• Helps control inflammation.
• Promotes a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
• Helps lose weight and belly fat.
• Keeps your heart healthy.
• Helps manage chronic fatigue syndrome.

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Probiotics in Diet

Probiotics are naturally present in curd, buttermilk, and a variety of fermented foods. Indian meals normally contain either curd rice, idli, dosa, buttermilk, lassi, or raita and are part of our traditional food habit that is good for our gut health.

Are Probiotic Supplements Necessary?

Of late, there's been a lot of publicity given to probiotics either as a supplement or as an additive in favorite foods. Does a healthy person, who can include curd in his daily diet, need probiotic supplements?

NO! Healthy persons do not require probiotic supplements but should add probiotic-rich foods in their diet regularly. However, these supplements may be useful in hospitalized patients with gut problems who cannot eat normal food like the way we do.

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The western population does not eat curd in their meals, therefore probiotic supplements and yogurt became popular. But according to our experts on The Wellness Corner, we don't need to go that far.

Let's celebrate our Indian probiotic tradition by eating a bowl of curd or drinking a glass of buttermilk regularly......Cheers!

We all get distracted from the healthy path when it comes to our eating habits. Not sure what’s good for you and what’s not? Measure your macronutrient breakdown on The Wellness Corner app to know whether your intake was too high or low and if you need to exercise to shed those extra calories.