Probiotic-Rich Foods: Natural Sources to Support Gut Health

Probiotics power yogurt drinks and supplements, but they're also abundant in everyday foods you can easily add to your weekly menu for better gut health.

What Are Probiotics?

Unsure what probiotics are or how they benefit your body? Also read: What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?

Probiotics in Food

Yogurt, sauerkraut, and cheese naturally contain live lactic acid bacteria from fermentation. Unfortunately, pasteurization in many commercial products kills these beneficial microbes, leaving you without the probiotics.

Read also: Fermenting yourself in 6 simple steps

To ensure you're getting live, healthy microorganisms, choose these trusted options from health food stores or well-stocked supermarkets:

• Full-fat, raw-milk yogurt (look for 'live bacteria' or 'active cultures' on the label)
• Kefir, a fermented goat's milk product with up to 50 bacterial strains. This is how you make kefir yourself.
• Kombucha (fermented tea from Asia)
• Miso, Japanese salty paste. Add it after removing the pan from heat.
• Raw-milk farm cheeses from cow's or goat's milk, unpasteurized
• Gherkins, traditionally pickled
• Sauerkraut, fresh from the barrel
• Apple cider vinegar (raw, cloudy)
• Kimchi, fermented Korean vegetables
• Black olives, fermented with oil, salt, water, and spices
• Tempeh

Read also: What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?

This article previously appeared in the March 2017 issue of Santé | Text: Stephanie Jansen | Image: Shutterstock