Probiotics Linked to Mood and Psychological Well-being

Probiotics linked to mood, psychological well-being, and sleep quality

More and more studies are coming out proving how a balanced gut microbiome is linked to a better quality of life. What exactly does this mean and how can we optimise our gut bacteria to feel better and perform better?

The Gut-Brain Axis

It may come as no surprise that the stomach and brain are intimately connected. Think about the last time you were nervous and felt "butterflies" in your stomach or were extra stressed and suffered from heart burn or other GI issues. Because of this relationship, many studies are exploring the depths of this topic and how we can better understand just how connected our gut is to our brain. This study from Harvard even points out that people with regular GI issues might be especially susceptible to pain because the connection is stronger.

How Do Probiotics Work?

We all have millions of different strains of bacteria in our bodies. Sometimes, after illness, stress, consuming certain foods, or other factors, the balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria gets thrown off balance. This can disrupt our mood, sleep, and overall feeling of well-being.

The probiotics on the market are live bacteria and yeast which have been specifically sought after for human consumption to restore the balance in the gut. There are many different strains out there but the most common are classified into two different categories: Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium.

Kombucha in particular is packed full of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus) and also acetic acids (like vinegar).

Lactic acid bacteria has a wealth of health benefits and can improve symptoms of IBS, prevent viral infections, prevent and reduce cold and flu symptoms and even reduce allergy symptoms. Check out more benefits of Lactobacillus here.

The Takeaway

It is pretty evident that everything is linked when it comes to understanding the way we are wired.

Gut health affects our mood which in turn affects our sleep quality which can then affect our cognitive function and the cycle continues. The best way to maintain a good balance is to learn how to de-stress, incorporate fermented foods & drinks, exercise, and get a good quality of sleep each night.

While studies continue to come out on the subject- we look forward to exploring the world of probiotics and can even see a future where they are prescribed as a therapeutic for depression & other mental health conditions in addition to cognitive therapies.

Any excuse to crack open a cold can of kombucha am I right?

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