You've
probably heard of pre-and probiotics, but have you heard of these?
Prebiotics
and probiotics have become well-known for their potential to aid in the growth
of beneficial bacteria in our intestines, resulting in enhanced gut health.
However, postbiotics, which are less prominent and investigated, impact gut
health.
After digesting
prebiotics and probiotics, postbiotics are
the waste products that your body produces. While waste may have a negative
connotation, postbiotics are beneficial to gastrointestinal health.
"A
key effect of postbiotics on your body is a rise in stomach acidity,"
explains Janet Coleman, a certified dietician and the founder of The Consumer
Mag. This increases stomach mucus production, preventing ulcers and other
digestive disorders.
Peptic ulcers, often called stomach ulcers, are painful sores that develop in the stomach,
esophagus, or small intestine. Nausea, heartburn, and fatty food intolerance
are some of the symptoms of a stomach ulcer.
However,
an increase in stomach acidity isn't always good. Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occur
when stomach acid flows into the esophagus, causing nausea, heartburn, and
chest pain. If acid reflux is persistent, it can lead to esophageal ulcers,
esophageal constriction, and precancerous alterations in the esophagus, among
other things.
According
to Coleman, postbiotics' beneficial effects on the stomach aren't their only
benefit; they also help to improve gut health and regular bowel movements.
"By
killing off bad bacteria in the colon and removing toxins from the body through
perspiration, urine, and stool, postbiotics help encourage good bowel
motions," Coleman explains.
She
says that one of the ways individuals ingest postbiotics is as a supplement,
which is also excellent for gut health.
"Postbiotics
can cause hydrogen sulfide production. Colon bacteria produce this deadly gas
"Explains Coleman. Hydrogen sulfide has been found to kill cancer cells
and reduce inflammation.
A French study demonstrated that taking postbiotics improved the quality of life of
individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with minimal side effects,
indicating that probiotics are beneficial to the stomach and the gut.
Foods including cottage cheese, sourdough bread, kimchi, yogurt, and fermented pickles include postbiotics produced during digestion. So, if you eat fermented foods, you're getting postbiotics and helping to improve the health of your gut.