What Are Good Bacteria?
Good bacteria, also known as probiotics, play a critical role in maintaining a healthy internal environment.
- Your digestive system houses a vast microbiome—a community of microorganisms, mostly bacteria.
- Good bacteria help balance this microbiome by keeping harmful microbes in check.
- Probiotics are often Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species, which are commonly found in the human gut.
- These bacteria are mutualistic, meaning both you and the bacteria benefit from living together.
How Do They Help Us?
Probiotic bacteria interact with your body in complex ways to support digestion, immunity, and brain health.
- They break down complex carbohydrates and fibers your body can’t digest, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that nourish your gut lining.
- Good bacteria boost the immune response by stimulating white blood cells and reducing harmful inflammation.
- Some species produce antimicrobial substances that block harmful pathogens.
- The gut-brain axis links the gut and brain—gut bacteria make neurotransmitters like serotonin that influence mood and mental health.
Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about good bacteria:
- Babies get their first good bacteria from their mother during birth.
- Some scientists call the gut the “second brain” because of its close connection to the nervous system.
- Eating fiber-rich foods feeds your good bacteria and helps them thrive.
- All the bacteria in your gut can weigh up to 2–3 pounds—about the same as a laptop!
Review
Let’s quickly recap what we learned about good bacteria:
- What do we call good bacteria that help our health? Probiotics
- What food group helps feed good bacteria? Fiber
- Where in the body do most good bacteria live? Intestines (Digestive System)
- What helpful compounds do gut bacteria produce when fibers are broken down to nourish the gut lining? Short-Chain Fatty Acids
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