Did you know that adding certain types of bacteria to your daily diet can actually be good for you? It’s true!

Your body is alive with millions of "friendly” bacteria. Each person has his or her own bacteria thumb print. And you know when your bacteria print is out of sync. If bacteria balance has been compromised in your gut, it lets you know with a bout of diarrhea, an episode of constipation, or that double-your-belly-size bloated feeling.

And that’s where probiotics can make a difference. Probiotics are live microorganisms that have a beneficial effect on your body. Probiotics that are beneficial for your digestion are similar to the friendly bacteria that are naturally part of your gut bacteria thumb print, and they help your gut to perform at its best.

The most common probiotics belong to scary-looking/sounding (but very beneficial!) groups called Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, etc.

Never heard of foods with names like that? Don’t waste your time looking for the probiotics aisle in your local supermarket! But you can find probiotics in some familiar foods or as food supplements.

Not convinced that bacteria, even friendly ones, are your thing? Get to know them better!