NAME : IMAN KHATIB

CLASS : XII S1

STREAM : SCIENCE

SUBJECT : BIOLOGY

REGISTRATION NO. : M219450330015

BOARD ROLL NO. :
TOPIC : PROBIOTICS

SUBMITTED TO: MRS. AKHILA NAIR

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 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled ‘Probiotics
and their benefits’ is the work done by Iman Khatib
of class 12th ,Tilak public Senior Secondary School,
Nerul has successfully completed his Biology project
as prescribed by Central Board of Secondary
Education for the year (2017-2018).

Date:
Board Registration No.: M219450330015

Principal: ____________

Internal Examiner: _____________

External Examiner: _____________

School Seal

2
 DECLARATION

I, Iman Khatib, hereby declare that the project

entitled ‘Probiotics and their benefits’ done by me
under the guidance of Mrs. Akhila Nair, is an
original work carried out by me and submitted as
prescribed by Central Board of Secondary
Education for the year (2017-2018).

Iman Khatib

__________

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to express my special thanks of

gratitude to my teacher Mrs. Akhila Nair who
gave me the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project, which helped me in doing a
lot of research and I came to know about so
many new things, I am really thankful to her.

Secondly, I would also like to thank my

parents and friends who helped me a lot in
finalizing this project within the limited frame
time

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 INDEX
Sr.No. Topic Page No.

1. Introduction 5

2. Types of probiotics 6

3. Uses of probiotics 8

4. Benefits of probiotics 8

5. Side Effects and risks 16

6. Food containing probiotics 18

7. Conclusion 19

8. Bibliography 22

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Stomach contains both good and bad bacterias.

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Introduction
The bacteria in our body outnumber our body's cells 10 to 1.

It's true, and most of them reside in our gut. But it is okay as most of them are
harmless bacteria.

Having the right bacteria in there has even been linked to numerous health

benefits such as weight loss, improved digestion, enhanced immune function,
better skin and a reduced risk of many diseases.

And these harmful and good bacteria are called probiotics.

Now the first question that comes to our mind after this is ‘what exactly a
probiotic is?’
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for health, especially the
digestive system.
But according to The World Health Organization's (WHO) probiotics are
defined as ‘ live micro-organisms that when administered in adequate amounts,
confer a health benefit on the host’

Process:

 When you lose "good" bacteria in your body, for example after you take
antibiotics, probiotics can help replace them.
 They can help balance your "good" and "bad" bacteria to keep your body
working the way it should

Probiotics may seem new to the food and supplement industry, but they have
been with us from our first breath. During a delivery through the birth canal,
a new born picks up the bacteria Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus,
and Escherichia coli from his/her mother.

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 Lactobacillus

Bifidobacterium

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Types of Probiotics
The most common species used are
Lactobacillus- There are more than 50 species of lactobacilli. They are
naturally found in the digestive, urinary, and genital systems. This species of
bacteria produces lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, or milk sugar.
These bacteria also produce lactic acid. Lactic acid helps control the population
of bad bacteria. It also serves as muscle fuel and increases the body’s absorption
of minerals
and  
Bifidobacterium- There are approximately 30 species of bifidobacteria. They
make up most of the healthy bacteria in the colon. They appear in the intestinal
tract within days of birth, especially in breastfed infants and are thought to be
the best marker of intestinal health. This species of bacteria is commonly used
in foods and supplements. They’re thought to:

 support the immune system

 limit the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestine
 help in breaking down lactose into nutrients the body can use

And their most common strains are:

 L. acidophilus
 L. casei
 L. plantarum
 B. lactis
 B. longum
 B. bifidum
 B. breve
 B. animalis
 L. reuteri
 Saccharomyces boulardii
 Streptococcus thermophilus

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Probiotic used as supplement

Probiotics used as beauty masks and creams.

Probiotics as house hold cleaning materials

Uses of Probiotics
Probiotics area mainly used as food supplements to be taken in for better health.
There are also uncommon uses of these such as in beauty creams or face masks
as they help prevent acne and fights the pathogens.

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Some people also use them in household cleaning products as antimicrobial
formulas temporarily sterilize whatever surface that is cleaned, the pathogenic
bacteria will quickly return because there’s nothing to stop them.

By using household cleaners containing probiotics, we are inoculating your

house with beneficial bacteria that should make the environment less hospitable
to pathogens.

Benefits of Probiotics
Probiotics include "good" bacteria. These are live microorganisms that can
provide health benefits when consumed.

These benefits are thought to result from the ability of probiotics to restore the
natural balance of gut bacteria.

There is a majority of benefits of probiotics….some of them are listed below:

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 A healthy probiotic stomach

Bad stomach Happy stomach

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1. Probiotics Help Balance the Friendly Bacteria in Your
Digestive System

An imbalance means there are too many bad bacteria and not enough good
bacteria. It can happen due to illness, medication such as antibiotics, poor diet
and more. So, when consumed the probiotics they help balance the bacteria.

When the digestive tract is healthy, it filters out and eliminates things that can
damage it, such as harmful bacteria, toxins, chemicals, and other waste
products. The healthy balance of bacteria assists with the regulation of
gastrointestinal motility and maintenance of gut barrier function.

2. Probiotics Can Help Prevent and Treat diarrhoea

Probiotics are widely known for their ability to prevent diarrhoea or reduce its
severity. Diarrhoea is a common side effect of taking antibiotics. It occurs
because antibiotics can negatively affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in
the gut.

Here the probiotics perform a dual role: firstly, a probiotic supplement can help
ensure that the gut flora remains healthy and well-balanced. This could speed up
the return to normal defecation. Secondly, diarrhoea can cause the gut flora to
become depleted, which can slow recovery. Supplementation of Lactobacillus
acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum are thought to be useful in helping
relieve diarrhoea. Previously, the L. plantarum species was often administered
alone, but more recent practice includes both Lactobacillus plantarum and
Lactobacillus acidophilus for double actions.

Effectiveness varies, depending on the type and dose of the probiotic taken

Strains such as Lactobacillus rhamnoses, Lactobacillus casei and the

yeast Saccharomyces boulardii are most commonly associated with a reduced
risk of diarrhoea

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Gut health and mood are connected

Probiotics increase minerals

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3. Probiotic Supplements Improve Some Mental Health
Conditions

An increasing number of studies link gut health to mood and mental health.

Taking probiotic supplements for 8 weeks decreased depression levels and

reduced levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) and hormones
such as insulin, compared to people who did not take a probiotic.

The vast assemblage of microorganisms in our intestines may have a major

impact on our state of mind. Gut microorganisms are able to produce and
deliver such neuroactive substances as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid.
A multispecies probiotic containing B. bifidum, B. lactis, L. acidophilus, L.
brevis, L. casei, L. salivarius, and L. lactis reduces cognitive reactivity to sad
mood in non-depressed individuals, which was largely accounted for by reduced
rumination and negative thoughts. Probiotic yogurt improved the mood of those
with an initially poor mood 

Research shows taking probiotics may help improve symptoms of mental health
disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress and memory, among others.

4. Probiotics can Increase Minerals

L. helveticus increased blood calcium level.

L. fermentum was shown to increase the bioavailability of calcium, phosphorus,

and zinc .

L. plantarum showed higher calcium retention.

S. cerevisiae was shown to improve the absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium and

phosphorus.

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 Healthy heart

Reduces blood pressure

5. Certain Probiotic Strains Can Help Keep Your Heart Healthy

Reducing bad cholesterol.

Probiotics may help keep your heart healthy by lowering LDL ("bad")
cholesterol and blood pressure.

Certain lactic acid-producing bacteria may reduce cholesterol by breaking down

bile in the gut. Bile, a naturally occurring fluid mostly made of cholesterol,
helps digestion. By breaking down bile, probiotics can prevent it from being
reabsorbed in the gut, where it can enter the blood as cholesterol

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Daily consumption yogurt containing L. acidophilus after each dinner
contributes to a significant reduction in cholesterol. A combination of bacteria
strains more effectively reduced total cholesterol and liver cholesterol compared
to individual bacteria strains.

Increasing Good cholesterol

Probiotics can increase high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol.

A symbiotic containing L. acidophilus, L. casei, B. bifidum and inulin increased
HDL-cholesterol in diabetic subjects

A symbiotic shake containing L. acidophilus, B. bifidum and fructo-

oligosaccharides significantly increased HDL-C in elderly people with diabetes
6-week supplementation of L. salivarius along with fructooligosaccharide
(FOS) significantly increased “good” (HDL) cholesterol in healthy young
people.

Reduce Blood pressure

Consuming probiotics may also lower blood pressure. A review of studies found
that probiotic supplements reduce blood pressure, but only modestly.

L. helveticus produces angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory

peptides that can prevent or control high blood pressure.

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Probiotics as antioxidants

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6. Probiotics Can Help Reduce Symptoms of Certain Digestive
Disorders

Over one million people in the US suffer from inflammatory bowel disease,
including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

Certain types of probiotics from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains

have improved symptoms in people with mild ulcerative colitis.
Surprisingly, one study found that supplementing with the probiotic E. coli
Nissle was just as effective as drugs in maintaining remission in people with
ulcerative colitis. However, probiotics appear to have little effect on symptoms
of Crohn's disease

Nevertheless, probiotics may have benefits for other bowel disorders. Early
research suggests they may help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS) .

They have also been shown to reduce the risk of severe necrotizing enterocolitis
by 50%. This is a fatal bowel condition that occurs in premature infants

Probiotics may help reduce the symptoms of bowel disorders like ulcerative
colitis, IBS and necrotizing enterocolitis.

7. Probiotics Act as Antioxidants

L. casei, L. helveticus, L. fermentum, B. bifidum and B. subtilis exhibit

antioxidant properties

B. animalis and L. lactis effectively scavenges free radicals and

significantly enhance the activities of antioxidative enzymes

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 Helps lose weight

Probiotics increase vitamin levels

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8. Probiotics May Help You Lose Weight and Belly Fat

Probiotics may help with weight loss through a number of different

mechanisms. For example, some probiotics prevent the absorption of dietary fat
in the intestine. The fat is then excreted through faeces rather than stored in the
body.

Probiotics may also help you feel fuller for longer, burn more calories and store
less fat. This is partly caused by increasing levels of certain hormones, such as
GLP-1.

They may also help with weight loss directly. In one study, dieting women who
took Lactobacillus rhamnosus for 3 months lost 50% more weight than women
who didn't take a probiotic L. rhamnosus induced weight loss in women,
reducing fat mass and circulating leptin concentrations.

Surprisingly, some studies found certain probiotics, such as Lactobacillus

acidophilus, can even lead to weight gain

9.Probiotics can Increase Vitamin Levels

L. acidophilus significantly improved vitamin B12 and folate levels.  

L. reuteri increased blood levels of vitamin D3 

L. reuteri isolated from sourdough, has been shown to produce

cobalamin (vitamin B12), while L. plantarum isolated from raw cow milk can
produce riboflavin and folate.

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Increase iron levels

Before and After using probiotics

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10.Probiotics can Increase Iron Levels

L. plantarum was shown to increase iron absorption.

L. acidophilus exhibited higher red blood cell status (R), and a

significant reduction in the prevalence of anemia.

Milk with B. animalis ssp. lactis and prebiotic oligosaccharides reduced the

risk of being anemic and iron deficient 

11. Probiotics May Reduce the Severity of Certain Allergies and

Eczema

Certain probiotic strains may reduce the severity of eczema in children and
infants.

One study found eczema symptoms improved for infants fed probiotic-
supplemented milk, compared to infants fed milk without probiotics

Another study followed children of women who took probiotics during

pregnancy. Those children had an 83% lower risk of developing eczema in the
first two years of life. However, the link between probiotics and reduced
eczema severity is still weak and more research needs to be done

Some probiotics may also reduce inflammatory responses in people with milk
or dairy allergies. However, the evidence is weak and further studies are needed

Probiotics may reduce the risk and severity of certain allergies, such as eczema
in infants. However, more research is needed.

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Boost immune system

Increase BDNF

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12. Probiotics May Help Boost Your Immune System

Probiotics may help give your immune system a boost and inhibit the growth of
harmful gut bacteria

Also, some probiotics have been shown to promote the production of natural
antibodies in the body. They may also boost immune cells like the IgA-
producing cells, T lymphocytes and natural killer cells

A large review found that taking probiotics reduced the likelihood and duration
of respiratory infections. However, the quality of the evidence was low

Another study found that taking Lactobacillus GG reduced the frequency and

severity of respiratory infections by 17%

The probiotic Lactobacillus crispatus has also been shown to reduce the risk of

urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women by 50%

Probiotics may help boost your immune system and protect against infections.

13.Probiotics May be Neuroprotective

B. breve and C. butyricum increase Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, also

known as BDNF.

C. butyricum, furthermore, restores butyrate in the brain, reduces neuronal cell

death, and significantly attenuates cognitive dysfunction and histopathologica .

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Helps Improve Cognitive Function

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14.Probiotics May Improve Cognitive Function

Probiotics improve both spatial and non-spatial memory. Probiotics

administration considerably improved the impaired spatial memory and
efficiently reversed deteriorated brain.

B. longum improved learning and memory, while L.helveticus improved

scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments, and object recognition memory .

L. helveticus also improved stress-induced cognitive dysfunction

L. plantarum was shown to improve learning and memory

L. casei potentiates the effect of proanthocyanidins extracted from lotus

seedpod, and ameliorates memory impairments

Above all studies were experimented on rats

15.Probiotics Improve our Mood

A multispecies probiotic containing B. bifidum, B. lactis, L. acidophilus, L.

brevis, L. casei, L. salivarius, and L. lactis reduces cognitive reactivity to sad
mood in non-depressed individuals, which was largely accounted for by reduced
rumination and negative thoughts

16.Probiotics Combat Depression

L. helveticus and B. longum reduced depression B. infantis protects rats from

depressive symptoms caused by stress.

Mix of L. acidophilus, L. casei and B. bifidum decreased depression, and in

addition lowered insulin levels, insulin resistance and hs-CRP and
increased glutathione levels in patients with major depressive disorder.

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17.Probiotics Reduce Anxiety

L. helveticus and B. longum decreased anxiety and anger/hostility in human.

L. rhamnosus (R), L. fermentum (R) and B. longum (R) also reduce anxiety-like

behaviour.

L. plantarum reduced anxiety-like behaviours in mice, and increased dopamine,

and serotonin levels

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18.Probiotics May Alleviate OCD

(Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder- An anxiety disorder characterized by

recurrent, persistent obsessions or compulsions.)

L. rhamnosus treatment attenuates mouse OCD-like behaviours.

19.Probiotics may Ameliorate Autism

Treatment of an autismmouse model with probiotics ameliorated ASD-related

traits.

In an animal model of social deficits in offspring, L. reuteri was found to be 9X

lower.

20.Probiotics May be Beneficial in Schizophrenia

Daily administration of B. longum reduced schizophrenic rearing behaviour.

(Schizophrenia -A major psychotic disorder characterized by abnormalities in

the perception or expression of reality. It affects the cognitive and psychomotor
functions. Common clinical signs and symptoms include delusions,
hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and retreat from reality.)

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21.Probiotics Combat Stress

L. caseii lowered academic-stress-induced increases in cortisol.

B. bifidum reduced self-reported stress and stress associated diarrhea/GI

discomfort.

L. casei increased serotonin levels, lowered the rate of subjects experiencing

common abdominal and cold symptoms

22.Probiotics Improve the Sleep-Wake Cycle

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L. helveticus-fermented milk significantly improved sleep efficiency.

L. brevis showed a mildly beneficial effect on sleep in subjects with insomnia.

23.Probiotics can Reduce Weight

Consuming probiotics can reduce body weight and BMI.

L. rhamnosus induced weight loss in women, reducing fat mass and

circulating leptin concentrations.

L. gasseri significantly decreased body weight and visceral and subcutaneous

fat areas.

L. gasseri significantly decreased BMI, abdominal visceral fat, waist and hip

circumferences, and body fat mass.

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24.Probiotics Combat Obesity

L. acidophilus, B. animalis ssp. lactis and L. casei reduced BMI, fat percentage,

and leptin levels in overweight individuals

L. gasseri  prevented abdominal fat accumulation , and decreased body weight

B. breve lowered fat mass and improved GGT and reduced body weight gain

L. paracasei  decreases energy/food intake

B. longum, B. bifidum, B. infantis, and B. animalisdecreased glucose levels,

ameliorated insulin resistance and reduced the expressions of inflammatory
adipocytokines.

C. butyricum reduced fat accumulation.

25.Probiotics Reduce Glucose and Improve Insulin Sensitivity

L. plantarum reduced glucose levels in postmenopausal women (R).

L. casei improved insulin sensitivity in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

L. paracasei  symbiotic was shown to improve many aspects of insulin

resistance,

L. gasseri increased energy expenditure, reduced blood glucose, improved

glucose tolerance, attenuated inflammation (R), and reduced insulin levels 

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26.Probiotics are Beneficial in Diabetes

Probiotics can improve the carbohydrate metabolism, total cholesterol,

fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity and antioxidant status, and reduce
metabolic stress

L. acidophilus and B. animalis increase good cholesterol and decrease fasting

blood glucose, and exert antioxidant properties 

L. lactis, Bifidobacteria) secrete an insulin analog

27.Probiotics are beneficial for Oral health

Streptococcus salivarius consumption can reduce bad breathe. The A12 bacteria
stops the streptococcus mutans from producing plaque.

Lactobacillus salivarius reduced oral cancer. Lactobacillus brevis had

decreased inflammation.

28.Probiotics treating Nasal congestion and Sinus

Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements because they help reduces chances of

developing allergies probiotic supplement decreased the levels of pathogenic
bacteria in the nasal passages.

Probiotics could be helpful in reducing the congestion.

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Lactose intolerance

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29.Probiotics helpful for Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance is caused by the body’s inability to effectively digest lactose

due to malabsorption or low levels of lactase produced in the digestive tract.

 Lactobacillus acidophilus, can help relieve the symptoms of lactose intolerance

and allow you to digest milk and other dairy products more easily

30. Probiotics for acne and skin

The skin is very closely connected to the gut through the ‘gut-skin axis. And we
know that the gut the probiotics make your gut very healthy.

Streptococcus thermophilus has been found to increase the skin’s own output of

ceramides to counter moisture loss. Lactobacillus plantarum, which produces
antibiotic-like molecules that can help with occasional breakouts.
Bifidobacterium aid sensitive skin by increasing its resistance to physical and
chemical aggressors. Lactobacillus acidophilus, when ingested, can prevent
sun-induced wrinkles.

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Side Effects and Risks
Probiotics are considered safe for most people. Studies don’t report major risks
involved with taking them.

The most commonly reported side effects of probiotics are gas and bloating. If
you have severe reactions, including abdominal pain, reduce your daily CFU
intake and slowly increase again over time.

Always talk with your doctor before beginning a new health supplement. Before
giving probiotic supplements to your child, talk to their paediatrician. Premature
infants shouldn’t take some probiotics.

Probiotics might not be recommended for people with chronic illness or a

weakened immune system. Don’t use probiotics to replace prescription
medications without first consulting your doctor.

5 possible side effects:

1. They May Cause Unpleasant Digestive Symptoms

Some people experience an increase in gas, bloating, constipation or thirst when

they start taking probiotics. These side effects should go away within a few
weeks.

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2. Amines in Probiotic Foods May Trigger Headaches

Fermented foods rich in probiotics naturally contain amines. Some people may
experience headaches after eating these foods and should instead opt for
probiotic supplements.

3. Some Strains Can Increase Histamine Levels

Some probiotics can produce histamine within the digestive tract. Those with
histamine intolerance may want to avoid these strains of bacteria.

4. Some Ingredients May Cause Adverse Reactions

Probiotic supplements can contain allergens, lactose or prebiotic fibres that

may cause adverse reactions in some people. These ingredients can be avoided
by reading labels.

5. They Can Increase Infection Risk for Some

People with compromised immune systems, venous catheters, recent surgery,

acute pancreatitis or prolonged hospitalizations should avoid taking probiotics.

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 Yogurt

Kombucha

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Food Containing Probiotics
There is a variety of foods containing probiotics, but not all of them are equally
beneficial.

The following are top 5 foods which are rich in healthy probiotics that should be
consumed by the humans in their diet.

1. Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics, which are friendly bacteria that
can improve your health.
It is made from milk that has been fermented by friendly bacteria, mainly lactic
acid bacteria and bifidobacterial.

Eating yogurt has been associated with many health benefits, including
improved bone health. It is also beneficial for people with high blood pressure.
In children, yogurt may help reduce the diarrhoea caused by antibiotics. It can
even help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Additionally, yogurt may be better than milk for people with lactose

intolerance. This is because the bacteria turn some of the lactose into lactic acid,
which is also why yogurt tastes sour.

2.Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented black or green tea drink.

This popular tea is fermented by a friendly colony of bacteria and yeast.

Kombucha increases energy and help with the stomach’s natural digestion.

As the probiotics are said to be helping in calming anxiety, kombucha helps

with that a lot too.

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Kimchi Sauerkraut

Kefir

Soy bean

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3. Cultured Vegetables (Sauerkraut and Kimchi) 

Made from fermented cabbage and other vegetables, sauerkraut is not diverse

in probiotics but is high in organic acids, which give food its sour taste and
support the growth of good bacteria.

Kimchi is a cousin to sauerkraut and is the Korean take on cultured veggies.

Both of the fermented formulas are also high in enzymes, which can aid
digestion. 

Kimchi contains the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus kimchii, as well as other

lactic acid bacteria that may benefit digestive health.

4.Kefir 
Similar to yogurt, this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of milk
and fermented kefir grains.

It has a slightly acidic and tart flavor and contains anywhere from 10 to 34
strains of probiotics.

Kefir is similar to yogurt, but because it is fermented with yeast and more
bacteria, the final product is higher in probiotics.

5.Soy products

Soy bean made foods such as miso, tempeh and natto are very rich in probiotics
and other nutrients. It is because the soy bean itself is very rich!

Soybeans are typically high in phytic acid, a plant compound that impairs the
absorption of minerals like iron and zinc.

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https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-benefits-of-probiotics#section3

https://www.medicinenet.com/probiotics/article.htm#what_are_probiotics

https://chriskresser.com/5-uncommon-uses-for-probiotics/

https://draxe.com/probiotic-foods/

https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-probiotics

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-side-effects

https://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/13-probiotic-filled-foods/

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https://www.allure.com/gallery/probiotics-skin-care-products

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Bibliography
NCERT class XII Textbook

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