Why Psychobiotics Are Good For Your Mind

It is generally known that bacteria can have all kinds of beneficial effects on our health. It is estimated that more than 48 billion of these microorganisms live in our bodies. They play a fundamental role in all kinds of physical processes, such as digestion. However, did you also know that there are bacteria called psychobiotics that can cause significant changes in our mood?

The most recent studies seem to indicate that our gut flora influences how our brains function. It is therefore increasingly about these psychobiotics, substances that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria for our mind. In this article we will tell you about the latest discoveries in this field.

The discovery of psychobiotics

The empirical support for the idea that some bacteria in our bodies can positively influence our brains is quite recent. In 2013, Ted Dinan, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Cork (Ireland), used the term for the first time. Several experiments conducted by this researcher have shown that fermented milk products can change the behavior of animals.

The results suggest that consuming yogurt may alter the functioning of certain parts of the brain related to emotional control. These studies paved the way for new investigations into the relationship between the gut and the mind.

One of these discoveries was related to certain types of gut bacteria, such as the bacterial genus Lactobacillus. Lactobacilli are present in dairy products and are able to modulate the production of some neurotransmitters. Some of these neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or GABA, are directly related to our mood. In addition, they play an important role in the prevention of mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety disorders.

Based on all this data, scientists set out to investigate which types of bacteria have a more positive effect on our brains. In addition, they are also trying to discover which probiotics we should consume the most. In other words, which probiotics provide the most benefits for our mind.

What are the most effective psychobiotics?

There are hundreds of substances that we can use to improve our intestinal flora. However, research has shown that not all of them are as effective as psychobiotics. Some have been proven to be much more effective at improving the functioning of our brains, as well as our mood.

Some of the psychobiotics that help our brains the most include the following:

• Kefir
• Bananas and apples
• Fermented foods

Let’s discuss each of these.

1. Kefir

Despite being a relatively unknown product, kefir has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is a type of yogurt of Bulgarian origin that is made from a mixture of yeasts and bacteria that are very beneficial to our health.

The main difference between this dairy product and other plain yogurt is that it contains a bacteria known as Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens . One of the most positive effects of this bacterium is the increase in serotonin and tryptophan, two of the neurotransmitters that most influence our emotional well-being.

2. Bananas and Apples

We all know that fruits and vegetables have positive effects on our physical health. Recently, however, a team of microbiologists at Yale University discovered another benefit of this type of food. They found that certain fruits and vegetables can improve the health of certain bacteria that are essential to our emotional well-being.

Two of the most useful fruits in this regard are bananas and apples. Consuming it could improve levels of lactic acid bacteria previously found only in milk. Again, these microorganisms play a fundamental role in the release of certain neurotransmitters that fight anxiety and depression.

3. Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are a classic remedy for digestive problems. Despite the fact that they are not very popular in many countries, using sauerkraut, kombucha or vinegar is an excellent practice for improving the health of our intestinal flora.

Recently, however, it has also been discovered that these foods also play a very important role in our mood. For example, they regulate the absorption of nutrients and ensure the release of serotonin. These probiotics can therefore be one of your best allies in your pursuit of improved well-being.

Although we usually think of body and mind as two separate elements, both are actually very closely linked. Consuming foods with probiotic properties can be one of the best ways to boost your mood and speed up brain function.