Top 10 Probiotic Foods

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial forms of gut bacteria that help stimulate the natural digestive juices and enzymes that keep our digestive organs functioning properly. In addition to taking a probiotic supplement, you can also eat probiotic foods that are a host to these live bacterium.

We all know of the great health benefits of probiotics, however, not all of us know how to take advantage of these health benefits. Below is a list I put together to outline the best probiotic foods for you to add to your diet. I would also recommend buying the organic version of all these probiotic-rich foods.

Why You Need Probiotics

Video Length: 2 minutes

Probiotic Foods to Add to Your Diet

1. Yogurt

One of the best probiotic foods is live-cultured yogurt, especially handmade. Look for brands made from goat’s milk that have been infused with extra forms of probiotics like lactobacillus or acidophilus. Goat’s milk and cheese are particularly high in probiotics like thermophillus and bifudus, bulgaricus.^[1] Goat milk yogurt is particularly high in probiotics like S. thermophillus, Bifidus (Bifidobacterium), and Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

Be sure to read the ingredients list, as not all yogurt is made equally. Many popular brands are filled with high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and artificial flavors and are way too close to being a nutritional equivalent of sugary, fatty ice cream.

2. Kefir

Similar to yogurt, this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of goat’s milk and fermented kefir grains. High in lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria, kefir is also rich in antioxidants.^[2] Look for a good, organic version at your local health food shop.

3. Sauerkraut

Made from fermented cabbage (and sometimes other vegetables), sauerkraut is not only extremely rich in healthy live cultures, but might also help with reducing allergy symptoms. Sauerkraut is also rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K.^[3]

4. Dark Chocolate

Chocolate itself doesn’t contain probiotics, but it was found to be a very effective carrier for probiotics. Chocolate helps them survive the extreme pHs of the digestive tract to make it to the colon.^[4] Because of this protective ability probiotics can be added to high-quality dark chocolate. This is only one of the many health benefits of chocolate.

5. Blue-Green Algae

This refers to super-food ocean-based plants such as spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae. These probiotic foods have been shown to increase the amount of both Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria in the digestive tract.^[5] They also offer the most amount of energetic return, per ounce, for the human system.

6. Miso Soup

Miso is one the main-stays of traditional Japanese medicine and is commonly used in macrobiotic cooking as a digestive regulator. Made from fermented rye, beans, rice or barley, adding a tablespoon of miso to some hot water makes an excellent, quick, probiotic-rich soup, full of lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria.^[6]

Beyond its important live cultures, miso is extremely nutrient-dense and believed to help neutralize the effects of environmental pollution, alkalinize the body and stop the effects of carcinogens in the system.^[7]

7. Pickles

Believe it or not, the common green pickle is an excellent food source of probiotics.^[8]. Try making your own home-made pickles in the sun. In the U.S., the term “pickle” usually refers to pickled cucumbers specifically, but most vegetables can be pickled. All of them boast the same briny goodness and probiotic potential.

8. Tempeh

A great substitute for meat or tofu, tempeh is a fermented, probiotic-rich grain made from soy beans.^[9] A great source of vitamin B12,^[10] this vegetarian food can be sauteed, baked or eaten crumbled on salads. If prepared correctly, tempeh is also very low in salt, which makes it an ideal choice for those on a low-sodium diet.

9. Kimchi

An Asian form of pickled sauerkraut, kimchi is an extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage, typically served alongside meals in Korea. Besides beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and dietary fiber.^[11] Kimchi is one of the best probiotic foods you can add to your diet, assuming you can handle the spice, of course.

10. Kombucha Tea

Kombucha is a form of fermented tea that contains a high amount of healthy gut bacteria.^[12, 13] This probiotic drink has been used for centuries and is believed to help increase your energy, enhance your well-being and maybe even help you lose weight, especially if made with green tea.^[14, 13] However, kombucha tea may not be the best fit for everyone, especially those that have had concerns with Candida.

Other Sources of Probiotics

You can also get beneficial bacteria by taking a probiotic supplement. I recommend Floratrex™, a unique formula of 23 probiotic strains that helps support your digestive tract and boosts your immune system.

Do you have any favorite foods with probiotics that I may have missed? Leave a comment below!

References (15)

1. Damunupola DA, et al. “Evaluation of Quality Characteristics of Goat Milk Yogurt Incorporated with Beetroot Juice.” International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications. Oct 2014;4(10):1-5.
2. Prado MR, et al. “Milk Kefir: Composition, Microbial Cultures, Biological Activities, and Related Products.” Frontiers in Microbiology. 2015;6:1177.
3. Raak, Christa et al. “Regular Consumption of Sauerkraut and Its Effect on Human Health: A Bibliometric Analysis.” Global Advances in Health and Medicine. Nov 2014;3(6):12-18.
4. Possemiers S, et al. “Bacteria and Chocolate: A Successful Combination for Probiotic Delivery.” International Journal of Food Microbiology. 2010;141(1-2):97-103.
5. Patel S, Goyal A. “The Current Trends and Future Perspectives of Prebiotics Research: A Review.” 3 Biotech. 2012;2(2):115-125.
6. Fujisawa T, et al. “Effect of Miso Soup Containing Natto on the Composition and Metabolic Activity of the Human Faecal Flora.” Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease. 2006;18(2):79-84.
7. Watanabe H. “Beneficial Biological Effects of Miso with Reference to Radiation Injury, Cancer and Hypertension.” Journal of Toxicologic Pathology. 2013;26(2):91-103.
8. “Science of Pickles: The Race of Microorganisms.” The Science of Cooking, Exploratorium: the museum of science, art and human perception. Accessed 3 Mar 2017.
9. Kuligowski M, et al. “Evaluation of Bean and Soy Tempeh Influence on Intestinal Bacteria and Estimation of Antibacterial Properties of Bean Tempeh.” Polish Journal of Microbiology. 2013;62(2):189-194.
10. Areekul S, et al. “The Source and Content of Vitamin B12 in the Tempehs.” Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand (Chotmaihet Thangphaet). 1990;73(3):1521156.
11. Peacock J. “Kimchi, the Korean Superfood.” Eat Smart Move More, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Published 9 May 2014. Accessed 25 Mar 2019.
12. “Understanding Kombucha.” Cornell Extension Enology Lab, Cornell University. Published July 2012. Accessed 25 Mar 2019.
13. Villarreal-Soto SA, et al. “Understanding Kombucha Tea Fermentation: A Review.” J Food Sci. 2018 Mar;83(3):580-588.
14. “Kombucha — Diet Supplement?” Go Ask Alice! Columbia University. Published Jan. 2015. Accessed 25 Mar 2019.
15. Nagao T, et al. A green tea extract high in catechins reduces body fat and cardiovascular risks in humans.” Obesity. 2007 Jun;15(6):1473-1483.

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