Probiotics are the good bacteria present in our digestive tract that help maintain the microbial balance of the body. Normally, people prefer eating yogurt for a healthy gut but there are also some other probiotic foods that strengthen and power your immune system.Here is a list of such probiotic foods.
Kefir
Kefir is similar to yogurt but it includes grains added to milk that are fermented for some time. This fermented milk beverage provides around ten grams of protein per cup and is delicious to taste. Kefir is beneficial for treating gastrointestinal distress, inflammatory gut disorders and constipation.
Miso
Miso is a thick, salty fermented paste of soybean that delivers you a tangy taste in addition to the probiotic benefits. You can add this traditional Japanese seasoning to stir-fries, soups and stews.
Curtido
Curtido is fermented salsa that includes cabbage, chilies and onions. You can use it as a topping for fish or grilledchicken.It can also serve as a delicious taco filling,or be served with handmade corn tortillas, rice and beans.
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is shredded cabbage allowed to ferment in salt water.This condiment has a powerful probiotic.
Ginger Beer
Ginger beer is considered a non-alcoholic beverage that originated in 1800s London. However, it contains small quantity of alcohol because of the fermentation process. This fizzy probiotic drink helps to maintain a healthy gut.
Kvass
Kvass is another grain drink made by the mixture of brown bread and yeast soaked in water. This drink is also available in the food store but there beets and carrots are used instead of bread. Apart from probiotics, the drink is rich in vitamins too.
Fermented cheese
Not all cheese has healthy bacteria, but soft fermented cheese such as Gouda, parmesan,some cottage cheese, cheddar and Swiss are the healthy probiotic foods that are made using lactic acid bacteria in which the milk ferments for a long duration.
Kimchi
Kimchi is a Korean dishmade from numerous vegetables and seasonings such as napa cabbage, chilies, fish sauce, ginger and garlic. The spicy mixture is fermented for a long time and has a pungent smell but is ranked as the number one probiotic food.
Probiotic foods are good for health as they aid digestion and boost the immune system. Since these probiotic foods are fermented, they are rich in a variety of good bacteria required for a healthy gut.