What is Probiotic According to Health Research?

Within everyone's body, one of the important bodily systems is the "digestive system."

Did you know that the digestive system is more important than you might think? A good digestive system affects other body systems, helping them function better and more efficiently. The helper that makes our body's digestive system work efficiently is called "probiotics."

What are Probiotics?

According to Latif et al.'s 2023 research, "probiotics" are defined as non-pathogenic microorganisms that are beneficial to the body when present in appropriate amounts and help strengthen the intestinal immune system.

Similarly, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) defines probiotics as small living organisms in the intestines that provide benefits when present in appropriate amounts.

Benefits of Probiotics

According to Latif et al.'s 2023 research, probiotics have many benefits, such as reducing various allergic reactions, reducing intestinal inflammation, bloating, and diarrhea.

Gul's 2024 study also states that probiotics, besides helping with the digestive system and intestinal health, also help strengthen the immune system.

Where Can We Find Probiotics?

Papademas and Kotsaki in 2019 stated that due to current eating patterns becoming more health-conscious, probiotics are now added to many types of food, such as dairy products, cheese, frozen foods, and fruit juices.

However, probiotics are generally found in fermented foods, such as yogurt, kimchi, fermented tea, various pickled vegetables, and miso. Since these foods might not be consumed daily, the body might not receive sufficient probiotics. Quality probiotic supplements can be used as a daily supplement to help with this.

References

• Papademas, P., and Kotsaki, P. (2019). Technological utilization of whey towards sustainable exploitation. J. Adv. Dairy Res. 7:231

• Anam Latif, Aamir Shehzad, Sobia Niazi, Asna Zahid, Waqas Ashraf, Muhammad Waheed Iqbal, Abdur Rehman, Tahreem Riaz, Rana Muhammad Aadil, Imran Mahmood Khan, Fatih Özogul, João Miguel Rocha, Tuba Esatbeyoglu and Sameh A. Korma. (2023) Probiotics: mechanism of action, health benefits and their application in food industries. Front. Microbiol. 1-15

• Sabiha Gul and Emanuele Durante-Mangoni. (2024) Unraveling the Puzzle: Health Benefits of Probiotics—A Comprehensive Review. J. Clin. Med, 13, 1436. 1-27