A variety of foods with bacteria that are good for the intestine

Bacteria are known as bad microbes. However, the human body also needs bacteria. Yes, there are two types of bacteria, namely good bacteria and bad bacteria. Find out which foods have good bacteria for the gut in this article.

Before eating, find out how the good bacteria in the gut work

The body needs good bacteria or probiotics in the digestive system. Probiotics are beneficial to your digestive system because they can help keep your gut healthy.

The good bacteria in the body are known to have a positive impact on your body. Good bacteria work in several ways.

First, it can be done by replacing the good bacteria that are lost in your body, especially after you take antibiotics. Please note that when you take antibiotics, the bacteria in your body (both bad and good bacteria) will be killed.

Second, by reducing the number of bad bacteria (bacteria that can cause inflammation in the digestive system) so that it can prevent you from disease.

Both of these methods produce a balance between the good bacteria and bad bacteria in your body. In this way, the good bacteria in your body can help maintain your health.

Two types of good bacteria in the gut

There are various types of good bacteria in the intestine with different functions. Several types of good bacteria are as follows.

Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus is the most commonly found type of good bacteria or probiotic group. You can find these bacteria in yogurt or other fermented foods.

Either type of lactobacillus can help you when you have diarrhea and is also beneficial for people who have difficulty digesting lactose or milk sugar.

Bifidobacterium

You can find the bifidobacterium group of bacteria in dairy products. This group of bacteria can relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and several other disorders related to the digestive system.

Foods that are good for the intestines, what are they?

Probiotics or good bacteria are found naturally in your body. In addition, you can increase the number of good bacteria in your body through food, usually found in foods that have undergone a fermentation process.

Below are foods with bacteria that are good for the intestines.

1. Yogurt

It is a food with probiotic content which is well known to many people, especially Greek yogurt (Greek yogurt). Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus is a type of good bacteria to make yogurt.

Both of these bacteria can convert pasteurized milk into yogurt during the fermentation process. This fermentation process gives yogurt a distinctive taste and texture.

However, be careful in choosing yogurt. The heating process after fermentation can kill the good bacteria in yogurt. It's best to choose yogurt that contains at least 100 million cultures per gram, see the description on the packaging when choosing yogurt.

In addition, many yogurt products contain lots of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners that don't necessarily contain probiotics. Therefore, it is smart to choose yogurt products that can function well on your body.

2. Kimchi

Kimchi is a Korean food made from cabbage which undergoes a fermentation process. This fermentation process is assisted by lactic acid bacteria contained in the cabbage itself.

Based on research, kimchi contains probiotics and is useful as an anticancer, antiobesity, anti-constipation. These probiotics make kimchi a good food for the intestines.

In addition, kimchi can improve colorectal health, reduce cholesterol, act as an antioxidant and antiaging agent, improve brain health, immune system, and skin health.

3. Sauerkraut

Just like kimchi, sauerkraut is a European food which is also made from cabbage which has undergone a fermentation process. This fermentation process is also assisted by lactic acid bacteria.

Apart from probiotics, sauerkraut also contains fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, sodium, iron, and manganese.

4. Miso soup

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese food. These foods are made from fermented wheat, soybeans, rice, or barley with salt and a type of mushroom called koji.

Miso usually contains fungal microorganisms Aspergillus oryzae or yeast Saccharomyces rouxii, as an agent that causes fermentation. The result is a paste with a salty taste. Therefore, miso soup is a good food for the intestines.

5. Kombucha tea

Kombucha tea is commonly consumed by Asians. It is a black tea or green tea drink that is fermented with live bacteria and yeast. The bacteria in this drink are good for the intestines.

Because through the fermentation process, of course kombucha tea contains many good bacteria that can improve your intestinal health.

6. Pickles (pickle)

Pickles, like fermented cucumbers, contain probiotics which are beneficial for your digestion.

Cucumber pickles are fermented by soaking in a solution of salt and water, then the lactic acid bacteria that are naturally contained in cucumbers will help the fermentation process and produce a sour taste.

Most pickles contain probiotics, but certain pickles made by adding vinegar and heating up may contain very little probiotics.

7. Cheese (soft cheese)

Although all cheeses are made by fermentation, this does not mean that all cheeses contain probiotics. Some soft cheeses (such as cheddar and mozzarella) usually contain a lot of probiotics that are useful for your gut.

Especially cheese made from raw cow's milk, unpasteurized cow's milk, or goat's milk.

This soft cheese has low acidity and large fat reserves, so it can keep microbes available in your digestive tract.

8. Tempe

The traditional Indonesian food of tempeh has many benefits. Even though it may be cheap, tempeh has rich ingredients, one of which is the content of good bacteria for the intestines.

Tempe is made by fermenting soybeans. This fermentation process makes tempeh a high nutritional value food. Tempe also contains high protein and vitamin B12, so it can be a substitute for meat for vegetarians.