Not only does your gut benefit from a regular intake of live cultures of good bacteria – or probiotics – new research suggests it’s also good for your mental wellbeing.
Research from McMaster University has shown improved depression scores with a probiotic, providing further evidence that gut bacteria affects behaviour.
The study involved adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and mild to moderate anxiety or depression taking a daily dose of the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum NC-C3001.
After a six week period, 64% of the patients taking the probiotic had decreased depression scores, compared to 32% of patients who were given a placebo.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) showed that the improvement in depression scores was associated with changes in multiple brain areas involved in mood control.
The positive benefits of probiotics on your gut health is already well documented, with research suggesting the vast benefits a healthy gut has on both mental and physical health.
You can add friendly bacteria (or probiotics) to your diet with supplements or any of the following 10 foods:
- Kefir – a cultured, fermented milk drink that is reach in vitamins and minerals, kefir has a wealth of health benefits, particularly for the gut.
- Miso – a fermented paste known for adding a salty taste to many Japanese dishes.
- Tempeh – a traditional Indonesian product made from fermented soybeans.
- Kombucha – a fermented drink made from sweetened tea and a specific culture known as a scoby.
- Yogurt – a food produced by the bacterial fermentation of milk.
- Apple cider vinegar – a vinegar made from fermented apple juice, its benefits include weight loss and lower blood sugar levels.
- Sauerkraut – a finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria
- Kimchi – a traditional Korean side dish of salted and fermented vegetables.
- Kvass – a traditional fermented Slavic beverage commonly made from rye bread.
- Raw cheese – a cheese made with milk that’s unpasteurized.
