Probiotics in food
Probiotics are found in fermented foods. During the fermentation process, bacteria, fungi, and yeasts are added to food to alter its properties, such as taste, texture, and nutritional value.
An example: yogurt. Yogurt is created by adding specific bacterial strains to milk. This process changes the taste and texture of the milk, resulting in yogurt. In addition to altering the product’s taste and texture, fermentation can also lead to the formation of certain vitamins, enzymes, and other bacterial strains within the product.
Examples of natural probiotics in foods:
- Yogurt, kefir, and certain types of cheese such as cheddar, gouda, and mozzarella.
- Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles.
- Tempeh and miso.
- Kombucha, a fermented tea that often contains live cultures of probiotics.
Not all fermented foods contain probiotics, as heat during cooking or pasteurization can kill the live bacteria. If you’re looking for foods with probiotics, choose products labeled with “live and active cultures/bacteria” to ensure they contain beneficial probiotics.