Chances are, you’ve heard of probiotics, commonly found in dairy products like yogurt. They’ve been found to be good for your gut, but what many people don’t know is that probiotics come from plant-based foods. So, the more you eat, the healthier your gut.

Why Probiotics are Important

Our gut is an ecosystem filled with trillions of bacteria, fungi, and parasites! They all create a happy equilibrium that helps us digest food, keeps our metabolism humming along, and provides enough energy to survive between meals. Without the right balance, our gut isn’t able to work properly, triggering symptoms like bloating, belching, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation, as well as moodiness, anxiety, and depression.

How to Keep Your Gut Healthy

Having different strains of bacteria keeps the gut balanced—and the body and brain healthy. A diet deficient in plant-based foods (or taking antibiotics, which kills both good and bad bacteria) results in a lack of diversity of bacteria, contributing to things like diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, and other chronic diseases. Replenishing our good bacteria is important to help rebalance our gut.

Get Your Healthy Bacteria from Fermented Foods

Apple Cider Vinegar contains good bacteria (found in “the Mother”) which helps maintain a healthy balance in our gut.

Kefir, a smoothie-like drink made from milk, is a good source of probiotics and nutrients like vitamins A and D.

Kimchi is similar to sauerkraut in that it’s fermented cabbage, but this Korean food also contains vegetables like chili peppers and is much spicier.

Kombucha is a fizzy tea rich in probiotics. It contains caffeine, so it’s best to drink in the morning or early afternoon. To enjoy the benefits of kombucha with 40% less sugar, try our Kombucha Spritzer in delicious fruity flavors.