Which pickles have probiotics

The most popular probiotic, yogurt, is made by adding two strains of bacteria, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, into pasteurized milk. The milk thickens up from the lactic acid that's produced by the bacteria, becoming the creamy product that you trust to build muscle. But although most Icelandic and Greek yogurt can be a trusted source of protein, not all will provide probiotics.

Some products are heat-treated after fermentation, which typically kills most of the beneficial active cultures, so be sure to check the label for the phrase "live active cultures. Also, the sour taste in fermented foods are organic acids that help probiotics to really work their magic. You can buy it on Amazon. Kimchi is an Asian fermented veggie dish, made with cabbage, radishes, and scallions. That distinctive red color comes from a seasoned paste of red pepper, salted shrimp, or kelp powder.

The unique strains found in kimchi won't just heal your gut, they might also help you stay slim. Researchers at Kyung Hee University in Korea induced obesity in lab rats by feeding them a high-fat diet and then fed one group of them Lactobacillus brevis, the culture strain found in kimchi.

The probiotic suppressed the diet-induced increase in weight gain by 28 percent! Brewskis shouldn't be your go-to source of probiotics, but fermented fermented foods and alcoholic beverages like beer do actually provide some benefits when consumed in moderation.

The vitamins from the barley grain that beer is made out of surviving the fermentation and filtering process and can lead to good cholesterol and decrease blood-clot formation. We're fans of Amstel Light because it has just 95 calories. That's why we named it one of these 15 Best Light Beers in America. Salt-water-brined olives undergo a natural fermentation, and the lactic acid bacteria naturally present on the olive give these little fruits their distinctive flavor.

Two strains of live cultures, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus, have been isolated in olives, and L. This fermented foods strain can balance your gut bugs and decrease bloating, particularly in people with irritable bowel syndrome, according to a study published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition. We like the flavored packaged variety, pictured above, because you can take them on the go for a quick and healthy snack.

Pickles are another classic fermented-veggie option. To be clear: Not all cottage cheeses contain probiotics or the benefits that other fermented foods offer. Though dairy products are packed with slow-digesting protein and have been shown to enhance probiotic absorption, that doesn't make this product a clear-cut winner or loser. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits when consumed 1. Probiotics — which are usually beneficial bacteria — provide all sorts of powerful benefits for your body and brain.

They may improve digestive health, reduce depression and promote heart health 2 , 3 , 4. Some evidence suggests they may even give you better-looking skin 5. Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics, which are friendly bacteria that can improve your health. It is made from milk that has been fermented by friendly bacteria, mainly lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria 6.

Eating yogurt is associated with many health benefits, including improved bone health. It is also beneficial for people with high blood pressure 7 , 8. In children, yogurt may help reduce the diarrhea caused by antibiotics. It can even help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome IBS 9 , 10 , Additionally, yogurt may be suitable for people with lactose intolerance.

This is because the bacteria turn some of the lactose into lactic acid, which is also why yogurt tastes sour. However, keep in mind that not all yogurt contains live probiotics.

In some cases, the live bacteria have been killed during processing. Also, make sure to always read the label on yogurt before you buy it.

Even if it is labeled low-fat or fat-free, it may still be loaded with high amounts of added sugar. Summary Probiotic yogurt is linked to a number of health benefits and may be suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Make sure to choose yogurt that has active or live cultures. Kefir is a fermented probiotic milk drink. Kefir grains are not cereal grains, but rather cultures of lactic acid bacteria and yeast that look a bit like cauliflower.

Indeed, kefir has been linked to various health benefits. It may improve bone health, help with some digestive problems and protect against infections 2 , 13 , While yogurt is probably the best known probiotic food in the Western diet, kefir is actually a better source.

Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria and yeast, making it a diverse and potent probiotic Like yogurt, kefir is generally well tolerated by people who are lactose intolerant Summary Kefir is a fermented milk drink.

It is a better source of probiotics than yogurt, and people with lactose intolerance can often drink kefir with no problems. It is one of the oldest traditional foods and is popular in many countries, especially in Europe. Sauerkraut is often used on top of sausages or as a side dish. It has a sour, salty taste and can be stored for months in an airtight container. In addition to its probiotic qualities, sauerkraut is rich in fiber as well as vitamins C, B and K.

It is also high in sodium and contains iron and manganese If the pickles are soft , they are spoiled from the yeast fermentation. Don't use them. Using too weak a salt brine or vinegar solution may cause soft or slippery pickles , as can using moldy garlic or storing the pickles at too warm a temperature. Pickled cucumbers are a great source of healthy probiotic bacteria which may improve digestive health.

It is important to note that pickles made with vinegar do not contain live probiotics. Summary Pickles are cucumbers that have been pickled in salty water and fermented. They are low in calories and high in vitamin K. Research indicates that the food, which is typically fermented with probiotic lactic acid bacteria and seasoned with garlic, ginger , scallions, and red pepper powder, possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-aging properties.

She produces for your inspection one jar of Claussen Dill Pickle Spears. Rather than being naturally fermented , they were made with vinegar and therefore offer no probiotic benefit whatsoever! Dill pickles , olives and sauerkraut are all fermented foods. They are made using microbes, giving the foods their characteristic flavour and extending the storage life of the product.

Picture 1. Dill pickles are fermented cucumbers. Getty Images. Sweet Ginger Pickles. You can, of course, buy sauerkraut in a store. Store - bought sauerkraut is typically pasteurized , and the heat is what kills the probiotics.

Refrigerated varieties, though, are sometimes not pasteurized. Fermented pickles are produced by these beneficial bacteria acting on the flesh of cucumbers. However, there is another method of preparing pickles that doesn't result in bacterial growth — pickling.

Fermented pickles have clear benefits — the process of suspending cucumbers in brine creates the ideal environment for good bacteria to thrive. They become probiotics, and these good microbes are transferred to your gastrointestinal tract when you eat fermented pickles. Pickles are generally produced through the addition of vinegar rather than brine.

Where bacteria do all the work of digesting the cucumbers in the fermentation process, vinegar breaks down the starches and sugars in pickling. Instead, it kills off most bacteria in the cucumber, resulting in very little benefit to your health. However, some raw, unpasteurised vinegars like apple cider vinegar contain their own types of good gut bugs — but it's rare to find pickles prepared with these types of vinegars in supermarkets.

The initial aim of fermented foods was to increase shelf life, however now people choose to eat fermented foods for their flavour and digestive health benefits. What are the best foods for your gut? Want to learn how to make your own kefir, kombucha tea or even sauerkraut?