Pineapple Blueberry Bliss Smoothie

This delicious Blueberry Smoothie features Lifeway Kefir and Farmer Cheese for a creamy, dreamy smoothie packed with protein and probiotics!

Prebiotics + Probiotics = a Healthy You

Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive system.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are “good” bacteria. They are live microorganisms similar to the ones already living in your gut and may offer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.

The word “probiotic” itself is often translated to “beneficial for life.”  It is derived from the Latin word “pro” meaning “for” and the Greek word “biotic” meaning “life.”

Breaking down the “microbiome”

The microbiome consists of microbes, or microorganisms, that live and colonize on everything from people, plants, the soil, animals, the oceans, etc. These microorganisms can affect us negatively like those nasty viruses that get you sick, but they can also be beneficial, like the probiotics found in kefir.

The human microbiome has many functions, such as helping us absorb nutrients from our food and protecting us against pathogens.

What do probiotics do?

Probiotics can help balance the microbiome by replenishing the good bacteria, which may lead to improved digestion and better immunity. With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.

Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.