Probiotic water has become a popular topic of conversation. It strives from the topic of probiotics and how they can help the body.
There just seems to be so much discussion about probiotics and different types of water that it can become confusing. You need to figure out the best types of water, foods, and additives for your body. The only way you can do that is by researching every single type of water and option out there.
Well, we want to make it easy. Rather than jump from article to article or blog post to blog post to find out about probiotic water and what it does, we want to put it all in one place. This is your guide to everything you need to know about probiotic water, including what it is and the health benefits of including it in your diet.
First, Just What Are Probiotics?
Over the last few years, probiotics have been a popular topic in health circles. There are so many probiotic products, especially yogurts, available in grocery stores. While ads tell you that using these products is good for you, they don’t quite tell you why. Never do they go into the full details of probiotics and what they do.
You need to make sure that probiotics really are good for your gut. It’s time to find out just what they do for your body and how they could help you live a healthier life.
The gut is made up of bacteria. Some bacteria are good for you and will help to keep your gut in full working order. But as you would expect, some bacteria are bad. The point of probiotics is to add more good bacteria, keeping the balance between good and bad in order.
If you eat a lot of added sugar or processed foods, you will find that the levels of bad bacteria are high. These types of food encourage the growth of bad bacteria, affecting the levels of good bacteria. You need to find a way to do the opposite with the food that you eat. By adding probiotics to your body, you can do that effortlessly.
On the other hand, healthy foods encourage the growth of good bacteria – the probiotics. They will help to line the digestive system to prevent any bad bacteria (you can’t get rid of them all) affecting the lining and causing problems for absorbing your nutrients.
Probiotics usually come in yogurt form. In fact, many people wrongfully believe that they are consuming probiotics daily because of the yogurt that they eat. Most yogurt products aren’t that good for you. They are full of hidden added sugars and include ingredients that are simply bad for you. The production process to turn the cow’s milk into yogurt is no longer what it once was.
You need to make sure that the food you eat really will include probiotics. Therefore, there is such focus on eating natural yogurts and finding out about the way everything is made.
But you can get probiotics without even worrying about the yogurts that you eat. This is where probiotic water comes into play.
What Exactly Is Probiotic Water?
Chances are you’ve seen probiotic water all around you, without realizing that that’s what you’re looking at! It is also regularly known as vitamin water and is a popular addition to celebrity diets. The likes of Beyoncé and Gwyneth Paltrow are all drinking this type of water to put their bodies first.
There are various brands sharing their own types of vitamin water. Some are even branded Vitamin Water! You can’t miss it once you know what you’re looking for. Of course, there are others that you’ll just need to look at the fine print to make sure it really is the best option for you.
And you don’t just need to look at the pure water. There are flavored waters, sodas, and even hot drinks that are promoted at probiotic options. Some of them you will need to add water to, and others are flavored water that you can heat up. People have even started to make their own.
How Could You Benefit from Probiotic Water?
The main benefit of course is that you get rid of the lactose element. Yogurts will include some
lactose, and there are more people with lactose intolerance now than ever before. Most won’t even realize that they are intolerant to the lactose, which includes some natural sugars. The intolerance causes inflammation and vitamin deficiencies, so it’s just worth staying away from the problems.
Probiotic water doesn’t give you those problems. You get rid of all aspects of lactose, and it’s also a vegan-friendly and gluten-free friendly option for the diet.
Let’s not just focus on the benefits of probiotic water. There are overall benefits of probiotics since they balance out the good and bad bacteria in the body. Did you know that 80% of the immune system is in the digestive tract? It makes sense that you want to keep the digestive system as healthy as possible when you consider that fact.
To make things worse if you have bad bacteria in your gut is that your digestive system affects your whole nervous system. It’s called the second brain for a reason. Bad bacteria growth will lead to inflammation and can lead to psoriasis, chronic fatigue, and so many other health issues. Many of these issues don’t even seem connected to the digestive system at first, but it’s the way the immune system reacts due to the bad bacteria that causes all the problems.
The immune system is flaring up means that our bodies can’t work effectively. Our hormones get out of whack, and we end up with cortisol levels that just make our immune system worse. So, it’s important to find a way to keep the bad bacteria as low as possible and boost the levels of good bacteria.
To break it down, your gut produces vitamins B12 and K2, which help with all sorts of bodily functions. They support the digestive system, blood flow and clotting, cell growth and repair, and more. The good bacteria also help to keep fungi and yeast out of the system, helping to fight against other potential diseases. They help to protect against the likes of urinary tract infections, kidney infections, and problems like thrush.
One of the biggest benefits of probiotics is that you can get them into your body naturally, and not just through yogurt. In fact, those on the paleo diet will find it much easier to keep the probiotics balance in order. Oil fish and raw vegetables are all powerful elements, especially if you eat organic or grow your own. Refrigeration and chemicals/pesticides in the soil have been linked to damaging the probiotics in the food. While there isn’t much you can do about some to keep the food fresh, you do need to understand these issues. Therefore, finding other forms of probiotics is so important.
With stronger immune systems, you’ll find that you don’t suffer from as many colds or illnesses. Your skin will look clearly and brighter, and you don’t deal with bad breath and other yeast problems on a regular basis. You can even find that irritable bowel syndrome or leaky gut syndrome because of problems of the past.
Some individuals have found weight loss is also easier. This could be due to a few connected factors, including hormonal balance, better immune systems, and lower calorie intakes through food.
You will feel healthier within yourself. Probiotics and good levels of bacteria will help you absorb more nutrients. You’ll find it easier to get the iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium that your body needs. Your energy levels will be higher, and you’ll find you want to do more throughout the day.
Make Your Own Probiotic Water
You do not need to go out and buy probiotic water. It’s possible to make your own from good sources of probiotics. This is one of the best ways to get more good bacteria in your gut naturally. You will also be able to limit other additives or unnaturally sugars being added to your diet accidentally.
There are both dairy and non-dairy options to make probiotic water. We’ll look at both options, depending on your dietary preferences and needs.
Let’s start with kefir. This is a dairy product and is fermented so some digestive systems will find a problem. It’s usually combined with milk to create a drink and is extremely popular in Turkey, Russia, and other similar parts of the world. In fact, it’s been used for millennia to create healthy guts.
If you’re worried about lactose causing a problem, kefir helps to break this down. Even if you’re lactose intolerant, you may find that this added to milk will help create stronger and healthier guts.
But some of you will want a vegan-friendly alternative, and this is where coconut kefir comes into play. This is a dairy-free option and can be added straight to water easily. It’s not traditionally as good as normal kefir, but it is a strong alternative.
You’ll get the taste of coconut in your water. It can be a little bitter, but you can add some lime or lemon juice to help brighten it up. A little natural sweetener like stevia is another popular option in your water.
In Eastern Europe, kvass has become a popular fermented probiotic beverage. This is made through fermenting barley or rye to create a mild flavor. It is now commonly used with root vegetables and some fruits to create a lighter and tastier drink.
When you add kvass to your water, you can get some liver and blood cleansing benefits.
Alternatively, you can opt for the Japanese preference for probiotics. Miso is used throughout Japanese medicine, even today. It’s commonly added to dishes made in the kitchen, but you can drink it with water on its own. In today’s kitchen, it’s commonly added to some hot water for a quick drink or with some rice and barley to create a hot soup.
Finally, kombucha is popular in some cultures. It’s gained through fermenting black eat, and has been used for two millennia or so. When added to water, it absorbs into the organs quickly and has been linked to good liver health. It is also linked to detoxifying the body and improving energy levels.
Are There Any Downsides to Probiotic Water?
Now that you know the benefits and how to make it, you need to find out about any downsides. Are there any dangers to adding bacteria to the body, even if they are supposed to be good?
Well, like with anything good, there are downsides if you take too much. You will also need to consider your own health and any issues that you may have that are not linked to the digestive system.
There are some mild side effects when you first start drinking probiotic water. These side effects are usually due to your body getting used to the new good bacteria, but it will get over them eventually. In fact, if you keep drinking your probiotic water, you should find the mild symptoms like bloating and gas disappear within a few days.
Some people will need to avoid probiotics. This is especially the case for those with weakened immune systems due to other ailments, like cancer. The bacteria could be viewed as a bad thing and compromise the immune system further.
There are risks in those who have had any part of their gastrointestinal tract removed. People who are undergoing or have undergone transplant surgery in the past will likely be advised to avoid probiotic water for some time. This will help to ensure the body doesn’t reject the transplanted organ.
Make sure that you consider your own medical issues and only choose the probiotic water or products that work for you. Read the labels carefully and make sure they are made as they should be to promote the good bacteria. Unfortunately, some appear good but the labels will tell you that there is a higher risk of gaining bad bacteria.
Are You Ready for Probiotic Water?
Now you know all you need to probiotics and probiotic water. These are good for most people. There are some who will want to talk to their doctor first and make sure there is no risk due to other health problems. It is possible that your health problems are linked to your gut!
Take the time to consider the different brands of probiotic water and consider making your own. You will be able to choose the types of probiotics to suit your dietary requirements and lifestyle. There are vegan-friendly ones, but there are also those that use dairy products but break down the lactose to avoid intolerance issues.
Overall, probiotics have shown benefits. They balance out the bad bacteria and line the digestive tract to protect it. People can absorb more nutrients. Probiotic water also has the benefit of hydrating the body, ensuring a healthy working gut regardless of the levels of the types of bacteria.
