Experts explain how our skin, immune system and mental health can all improve if we improve the balance of bacteria in our digestive system. From improved immunity and mental health , to weight loss and smoother skin, the supposed benefits of probiotics are endless, and in particular when it comes to improving your gut health. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts , often described as “good” or “friendly” or “bad”.
The balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut can be affected by several factors such as stress , antibiotics and a poor diet , and probiotics can tip the balance back in the favour of good bacteria. Little wonder that the global probiotic market , which includes supplements, yogurts and powders, is expected to reach $105.7 billion by 2029 (up from $71.
2b in 2024). But what’s the scientific evidence of the health benefits, and how much of a difference do they really make? How probiotics support digestive health “First of all we need to make a distinction between probiotics and fermented foods,” says Sam Rice, the Telegraph’s nutritionist and author of Supercharge Your Diet: Ten Easy Ways to Get Everything You Need From Your Food . “Probiotics are specially developed foods or supplements that contain specific strains of bacteria with proven health benefits, for example, Yakult milk drinks which contain L.
casei Shirota , which studies show help with constipation. Fermented foods , such as miso or kefir, meanwhile, contain a wide range of l.
