Most women go with their gut feeling when it comes to tough choices. But do we take enough care of our gut and vaginal health? If not, you can start with our list of the selected and best probiotics for women's health.
Even choosing the best probiotics for the body is not an easy task. So, let's look at what probiotics and its sources do for the overall health before we move on to the probiotics that support women's health.
What are Probiotics Used For?
Probiotics are the live, good bacteria or yeast that live in our bodies and keep the body healthy. In general, bacteria are seen in a negative light. But some bacteria help our body in different ways. For instance, our gut and mouth require many good microbes to remove harmful bacteria from the system.
In simpler words, probiotics help to maintain our immunity as well as health by creating a healthy microorganism community in the body. They help and support overall health, unlike the harmful bacteria that cause an imbalance in the body.
To help you understand more about using probiotics for women, let's look at the general benefits of probiotics.
Health Benefits of Probiotics
The best probiotics for women and men are the ones that help the body in regulating various functions and aspects of health. Most studies show that probiotics have the following benefits for the body:
Improves Immunity
Probiotics play an essential role in strengthening and supporting our metabolism and immune system. It helps to stimulate antibody production and fights the harmful bacteria that try to harm the body. Probiotic strains also help in lowering the risk of infections and allergies.
Supports the Digestive System
If you have trouble with gut health or digestion as we say in layman's terms, adding probiotics can improve your digestive health. Probiotics help to maintain a balance in the gut and gastrointestinal systems. It helps to relieve us from problems like diarrhea, IBD, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Mental Health
Our diet along with our environment impacts our mental health in a lot of ways. Taking natural probiotics and probiotics supplements prevents problems like depression, stress, and anxiety. That is because probiotics influence the production of neurotransmitters in the body and regulate our stress response.
Women's Health
Lastly, there are exclusive benefits of probiotics for women's health. First, the best probiotics for women help treat vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis and maintain the natural pH balance. Including the right amount of probiotics in the diet helps women to maintain a healthy vaginal environment.
Now that we know probiotics benefit our bodies let's look at some of the natural and supplement sources of probiotics.
Which are the Natural and Best Probiotics for Women?
Natural things are always better than supplements, so we will examine natural probiotic foods first. Most of these foods are a part of our daily life, but we do not know their benefits. Here are the probiotic foods list along with their benefits for women's body:
Yogurt
Yogurt is most likely the first food to feature on every probiotics list. It is one of those ingredients that most people already have in their diet. It is a probiotic ingredient that helps to regulate gut health and improve digestive functioning in women.
Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV and its multiple health benefits also count as the best probiotic for weight loss. Apple cider vinegar has probiotics that improve metabolism and help in burning fat. Mix half a spoonful of ACV in water or use it as a salad dressing to maximize its benefits.
Miso
Do you love miso soup or fermented soybean products? Then, you must not worry about the probiotic levels in your body. This popular dish from Japan helps the body to replenish its needs for vitamins and antioxidants. It has high levels of minerals like zinc, calcium, manganese, and vitamin K that strengthen the bones and regulate the nervous system in women.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a dairy product among the best probiotics for women. The lactic acid and bioactive content in buttermilk help remove toxins from the body and improve digestion. Numerous studies have shown that consuming buttermilk on a regular basis can help to decrease blood pressure and minimize the risk of bacterial infections.
Apples
No wonder people believe that apples keep doctors away. Apples significantly benefit our bodies because of their high nutrient and fiber content. It is one of the natural probiotics for women that lowers the risk of blood fat levels in women after menopause.
Moreover, an apple's essential nutrients, like zinc and calcium, help women with bone health issues.
Kimchi
Kimchi also has many probiotics and health benefits for the body. It is one of the best probiotics for women simply because it helps to fight vaginal yeast infections. Intake of kimchi is too good for tackling major gastrointestinal issues and improving overall skin and hair health. But make sure to add a moderate amount to your diet to avoid digestive distress.
Fermented Cheeses
Fermented cheeses like cheddar, Gouda, or Swiss cheese also help to improve good bacteria in the body. Intake of fermented cheeses during menstruation helps replenish the need for vitamins and minerals. It helps boost the immune system and make the bones and muscles healthier with its high calcium and phosphoric nutrient value.
Pickles
Pickles are also a good source of raw probiotics women should intake. For example, dill pickle helps to replenish the need for vitamin K in the body, which helps in blood clotting and makes the bones strong. It further reduces abdominal muscle cramps and helps to regulate the blood sugar level during menstruation.
Kombucha
One of the best probiotics for women's health is Kombucha. This fermented drink with black or green tea, sugar, and yeast is perfect for improving digestion. Consumption of this mental drink helps to regulate and balance the hormonal cycle. To reduce bloating and help in relaxing uterine contractions.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is another probiotic that helps in relieving menstrual cramps. The high levels of essential minerals like copper and magnesium in dark chocolate relax abdominal muscles and relieve uterine pain. It also triggers the endorphin (a peptide that reduces stress) release in the body, elevating the mood and reducing stress.
Do you have enough of these probiotics in your diet and are still facing problems? Then, it might be a sign that your body requires you to intake more probiotics. Next up, we will be talking about how to choose the right kind of probiotic supplements for your body.
How to Select the Best Probiotic Supplement for Women?
Generally, natural probiotics are safe for use, but some women might meet probiotic supplements to support their body needs. But choosing the right probiotics for women in supplement form is tricky. So, keep in mind the following points when you select probiotic supplements:
- The first and most fundamental point while choosing a supplement is to take expert advice. Medical experts can help identify the correct strains of probiotics your body needs.
- You can decide if you want to include probiotics in your diet pills, powders, or any other formulation after the healthcare expert guides you with the dosage and your body's needs.
- Lastly, make sure that you go for brands that are clinically tested. Avoid using ingredients like added sugar or preservatives that can harm your body in the longer run.
Also Read: 10 Cardiologist Approved Diet Tips For A Healthy Heart
The Bottom Line
While probiotics benefit all, they have some specific benefits for women. Naturally, probiotic foods are the best probiotics for women in terms of cost and health benefits. But if your body has particular healthcare concerns like digestive and vaginal infections, you must consider consulting an expert.
Because the benefits of probiotics might vary depending on your body and needs, it is always essential to choose the correct probiotic to add to your diet. Also, ensure to regulate your diet by maintaining the level of probiotic intake in it.
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