The Gut Health Benefits of Friendly Bacteria

It’s been estimated that as many as 500 different species of bacteria reside in our intestines—collectively called the microbiome—with some referred to as “friendly.” Improving your gut health is a smart priority when you consider the wellness power of friendly bacteria, which have many benefits, including:

Immune System Support – As noted in a 2021 study in the medical journal Nutrients, 70-80% of our immune cells reside in the gut. Friendly bacteria help your immune system to distinguish between harmless food particles and dangerous pathogens, protecting you against infections, among other health concerns.

Improved Digestion & Nutrient Absorption – Beneficial bacteria break down complex, indigestible carbohydrates, such as fiber, transforming them into short-chain fatty acids which nurture the gut lining and help to regulate metabolism. Lactobacillus is an especially effective strain for synthesizing nutrients and improving the digestion of lactose, which is notoriously difficult for most adult humans.

Gut-Brain Connection – The gut and the brain communicate through what is scientifically referred to as the gut-brain axis, as noted in a  2015 medical study. This is a two-way biochemical communication network linking your central nervous system−your brain and spinal cord−and your enteric nervous system or “second brain” in your digestive tract. This network, heavily influenced by trillions of gut bacteria, relays messages about digestion, stress, emotions/moods, and more.

Post-Antibiotics Gut Repair – Antibiotics kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, which can lead to diarrhea or cramping. Replacing probiotics replenishes the microbiome can help prevent these side effects. As noted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, It is generally recommended to continue a probiotic for 7 to 14 days after your antibiotic course finishes, spacing the doses at least 2 hours apart from your medication.

If you would like to nurture and support the health of your gut microbiome naturally, why not explore the many delicious, probiotic-rich foods traditional cultures have consumed for centuries, most of which include prebiotics as well, which “feed” probiotics in the gut.