Lactic acid cultures (probiotics) explained

Many people probably know the term "probiotics" from the refrigerated section, in connection with yoghurt and sauerkraut. The official term for this is "lactic acid cultures".

Lactic acid cultures are the naturally occurring "good" gut bacteria that live in our digestive system and play a significant role in our immune defenses, our overall well-being , and also our skin.

When we are healthy, our digestive system is home to over 100 billion "good" gut bacteria (ten times more than the number of cells in our body). These "good" gut bacteria spend their days digesting and thus strengthening the immune system and destroying "bad" gut bacteria and germs.

Lactic acid cultures also occur naturally in foods such as: sour-fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut or kimchi, kefir, kombucha and yoghurt etc.

After a prolonged illness or the use of medication, esp. antibiotics, a "intestinal cleansing" or the build-up of the intestinal flora by highly concentrated lactic acid cultures, e.g. in the form of dietary supplements, is often recommended.