What is a probiotic? Probiotics are good-live bacteria and yeasts that help keep the gut (digestive system) healthy. Probiotics can be found in food like yogurt and in supplements. They help retain the good bacteria in the body and keep our body working the way it should. Read on to learn the benefits of probiotics for diabetes.
Benefits of Probiotics for Diabetes
The Food and Drug Administration treats probiotics as a food and not medicine. Getting probiotics from supplements is popular these days, but certain foods also help. Among other things, probiotics help in sending food through the gut and help treat:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Diarrhea
- Skin conditions
- Urinary health
- Oral health
Effects of Probiotics in Food for Diabetics
Probiotics play a huge role in diet for diabetic patients. They should ideally be 80% of your total gut bacteria. Moreover, if you are a diabetic patient, adding probiotics to your diet can change things dramatically.
Probiotics, when added to the diet for diabetes, helps prevent insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is more often caused by consuming foods that contain trans fat. Supplements or foods that contain probiotics can help normalize this condition and boost better functioning.
Here are 10 benefits of probiotics for diabeties
- Helps manage weight
- Lower bad cholesterol
- Improve digestive function
- Keeps immune system strong
- Combats depression
- Improves brain function
- Aids absorption of nutrients
- Helps produce several kinds of B-vitamins
- Betters the functioning of the intestinal tract
- Supports overall health
Probiotic Foods for Diabetic Patients
It is best to talk to a doctor or a healthcare educator when preparing the diet chart. But certain foods which help are:
- Yogurt: They contain live cultures, including lactobacillus bulgaricus, which help produce lactic acid and keep harmful bacteria at bay.
- Probiotic Milk: Mostly refers to cow or goat’s milk.
- Buttermilk: Apart from being a probiotic, it is also low in fat and calories and contains several important vitamins.
- Green Olives: Being a fermented food, it is rich in Lactobacillus, making it gut-friendly.
- Cottage Cheese: Rich in good bacteria and is packed with active cultures like L. acidophilus.
- Dark Chocolate: A probiotic with anti-inflammatory effects that benefit health.
Read More: Best Calcium-Rich Foods for Diabetics
Seek medical advice
The diet for diabetes can be tricky, and you may need to talk to your healthcare educator about what works. Before adding or removing anything from your diabetic diet, make sure to consult your doctors or healthcare experts.
Download the BeatO App for more such information on diabetes control and management.
