Beneficial bacteria

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, also known as live cultures, which live in the intestinal tract. Although the word bacteria are usually associated with germs and illness, beneficial bacteria are essential for the body to function properly.

Bad bacteria on the other hand, can cause intestinal micro-flora imbalances that can lead to the loss of well-being and vitality.

Why take Probiotics?

Over 400 different species and more than 100 trillion total bacteria live in the human intestinal tract. Friendly and unfavourable bacteria form a delicate and constantly changing balance as they compete with each other. We may not realise it, but our complex digestive system is made up of the following important organs:

The mouth – The oesophagus – The stomach – The small intestine – The large intestine – The pancreas – The liver – The gall bladder

While human beings usually start life with a relatively healthy intestinal tract, age, lifestyle and environmental factors such as poor eating habits, chlorinated drinking water, stress, disease, the use of antibiotics in food production as well as in medical treatments, traveller`s bugs, alcohol consumption, high sugar intake, ageing and a number of other factors can greatly reduce the number of good bacteria in our gut.

Why is gut health important?

The impact of a healthy gut is body wide. Around 70 percent of the body`s defenses are in the gut, which is constantly under siege from microbes that enter our system via food and drink. The various species of bacteria found within your gut are your body`s first line of defense and thus a key component of a healthy immune system.

I healthy gut is also linked to being a healthy weight and lowering inflammation. In other words, they are vital to us on a daily basis.

I can honestly say that the longest lasting health improvements come from habits we adopt as part of our daily routines. Make sure Probiotics are one of yours.

Recipe idea:

Probiotics carrot cake bites

Ingredients (8-10 servings)

60g buckwheat

180ml water

50g oats

25g coconut flakes

1 medium carrot, shredded

Zest from 1 mandarin

Cinnamon

Raw honey 2tbsp

Desiccated coconut

8 Udo`s Super 8 capsules

Method

In a saucepan, add the water and bring to boil, add in the buckwheat and cook for 10 minutes until all water is absorbed. Leave to cool off.

In a food processor add in the oats and mix until fine. Add in the coconut flakes, mix until fine. Add the rest of the ingredients except the desiccated coconut and mix until you get dough.

Gently tip in the contents of the Super 8 capsules. Use a tablespoon to shape the dough into balls and roll in desiccated coconut. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

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