Probiotics have become a popular medical and health trend and with good reason: they are incredibly important to our overall health and wellbeing. Probiotics are good bacteria that are predominantly located in our guts. This good gut bacteria plays a critical role in everything from our immunity to our mood!

Do you want to improve your immune system? Instead of taking giant amounts of vitamin C this cold season, why not try to boost the amount of probiotics that you have in your body. Let’s take a look at 4 easy ways to get more probiotics in your daily life.

4. Supplement

A good start to boosting your probiotics is a high quality probiotic supplement. Be sure to visit a store to pick one up and choose one from the refrigerated section. Shelf stable probiotics are okay but not ideal. The supplement should AT LEAST contain the three following strains (found on the label):

• acidophilus
• longum
• bifidum

As for the number of organisms, you’ll see a wide range from 10 million to 50 billion. A good number to go with, especially if you have a poor diet, is 10 billion or above. Eventually, once you add in probiotic foods, you can lower this dosage.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

This super drink is an amazing health aid for a number of ailments. It also contains a high amount of probiotics. The probiotics and minerals found within ACV may be able to help support your immune system. What’s more, apple cider vinegar has been touted as a powerful weapon against the common cold and the flu virus.

Mix one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar (with the mother) with a glass of warm or cold water. Feel free to mix in honey, cinnamon, or Cheyanne pepper.

2. Kombucha

Kombucha has seen a huge explosion in popularity recently. You can find these amazingly healthy drink in a number of flavors including raspberry, ginger, and black cherry. Kombucha is a fermented tea. During the fermentation process, the number of gut-friendly probiotics skyrocket, giving kombucha its famous health benefits.

Kombucha is widely available in regular grocery stores as well as specialty stores. You may also be able to find a local brewer of kombucha! If you want to make your own, check out this quick and easy guide.

1. Fermented Foods

The best way to get in a variety of important probiotics is to eat a wide range of fermented foods. There are several key fermented foods that are alive with gut-healthy bacteria. Incorporating these foods into your diet, you’ll be amazed at some of the benefits that you may experience. Probiotics boosting your immune system is only the start.

The most easily accessible fermented foods are as follows:

• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi
• Kefir
• Yogurt
• Tempeh
• Pickles

It’s important with all of these foods that you make sure the brand you buy is truly fermented and not just flavored.

Tell Us What You Think!

Have you upgraded your diet to include more probiotics?

What are your favorite sources of probiotics?

Let us know in the comments below!