***Healthy Digestion: The Importance of Fruits, Microfloras or Probiotics in Aiding Digestion

Our bodies are amazingly complex and if fed the right “fuel”, they break down our varied diets to keep our body running efficiently and healthily. However, a little like a car engine, if the fuel is incorrect or the food is not properly digested, our running power quickly suffers, affecting our whole quality of life.

The functions of a healthy digestive system are the key to our bodies receiving all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed to provide energy and overall good health. If the body is deficient in these essential nutrients, it can quickly affect our immune system and general health. To keep everything running smoothly our bodies need plenty of water, exercise and a proper diet which should be high in fiber found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Natural probiotics are useful supplements to any diet, creating a natural environment for a healthy digestion of our food intake, otherwise the nutrition we consume is completely wasted.

The bacteria in our intestine need to be perfectly balanced to efficiently digest our food. Any imbalance can lead to physical discomfort and possible harm to our overall health. Probiotics are live microflora which, in sufficient amounts, will confer a health benefit on the body, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Taking a probiotic supplement can ensure that beneficial microflora, also known as “good” or “friendly” bacteria, are naturally maintained in proper balance. These living microfloras, known as probiotic bacteria, play a vital role in digesting carbohydrates and breaking down fats and proteins. When they are present at the correct levels, they prevent the “bad” bacteria from causing bloating, gas and yeast overgrowth by depriving them of nutrients and secreting acids which harmful bacteria cannot cope with. Although our bodies need a balance of both types of bacteria, large numbers of “bad” bacteria can cause disease such as salmonella, clostridium and candida. A top-up of “good” bacteria as a probiotic supplement will maintain the correct balance of these vital microfloras.

Age, stress, illness, medications such as antibiotics, dehydration, lack of sleep and a harmful environment can all affect our microbial equilibrium which can cause gas, constipation, bloating, bad skin, fatigue and, in more severe cases, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. An imbalance of our intestinal microfloras can cause not only physical discomfort but also poor digestion and an inability to eliminate waste as we should. It all goes back to having a healthy digestive system, with a correct balance of microfloras to maximize the benefits of the fiber-rich fruits and healthy eating which we need to provide daily.

Probiotics also play an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system, helping to fight off bacteria, bugs and viruses. Good bacteria are vital to keep our immune system in good working order, and they are concentrated in the gut. Adding a daily supplement of probiotics to your diet can only be good for you. However, it is essential that high-quality strains of probiotic bacteria are taken, as they need to survive the stomach’s enzymes in order to reach the intestinal tract alive, ready to do their important job most effectively.